Elegant Conciseness: Reduced

Normally, complex sentences need a bridge. That bridge is a conjunction like que, porque, or embora. These are "developed" clauses. Reduced clauses burn that bridge. They rely on the verb form to show the relationship. The verb does all the heavy lifting. It changes into one of three non-finite forms. These are the infinitivo, the gerúndio, or the particípio. You lose the conjunction and the relative pronoun. But you keep the meaning. It is like a ZIP file for your thoughts. It compresses the information without losing quality. You just need to know which "file format" to use. Most native speakers use these without even thinking. You will learn to do the same.

1. 1Changing a developed clause into a reduced one is simple. Follow these three steps.
2. 2Identify the subordinate clause. Look for the part starting with que or a conjunction.
3. 3Delete the connector. Get rid of that que, quando, or como.
4. 4Transform the verb. This is the crucial part.
5. 5Use the infinitivo (with a preposition). For example, ao chegar (upon arriving).
6. 6Use the gerúndio for simultaneous actions. For example, andando pela rua (walking down the street).
7. 7Use the particípio for completed actions. For example, terminado o jantar (dinner being finished).
8. 8Think of it like a grammar traffic light. The green light is the infinitivo. It’s safe and common. The yellow light is the gerúndio. It’s for things in motion. The red light is the particípio. It’s for things that have stopped.

Use reduced clauses when you want to sound professional. They are perfect for business emails. They shine in academic essays. You will see them in every newspaper. Use them to avoid repeating que. If you have three que in one sentence, use a reduced clause. It breaks the monotony. It also works great for quick storytelling. It sets the scene fast. Imagine you are in a job interview. You want to describe your tasks. Using ao coordenar a equipe sounds better than quando eu coordenei. It shows you have high-level control. It makes your Portuguese feel "tight" and intentional. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. Doing it right makes you stand out.

Don't use them if the sentence becomes a riddle. Clarity is always more important than style. If the subject of the main clause is different, be careful. "Coming home, the dog barked." Who was coming home? The dog or you? If it’s confusing, stick to the developed clause. Also, avoid them in very casual slang-heavy talk. It might sound a bit too formal for a rowdy bar. Some fixed expressions don't like being reduced. If the conjunction is essential for emphasis, keep it. For example, ainda que (even though) is very strong. If you reduce it, you might lose that punch. Don't be a grammar robot. Use them to add flavor, not to replace every single sentence.

One big trap is the subject mismatch. The subject of the reduced clause should usually be the same as the main one. If they differ, you need to be very clear. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition with the infinitivo. People often mix up ao (time) with por (cause). For example, ao chegar means "when arriving." Por chegar means "because of arriving." They are not the same! Also, watch out for gerundismo. This is the habit of overusing the gerund for the future. Don't say vou estar chegando. Just say chegarei or use a proper reduced clause. Think of it like a fashion choice. Too many accessories (gerunds) ruin the look. Keep it balanced and purposeful.

Let’s compare a developed clause with a reduced one.

• Developed: Quando ele chegou em casa, viu o desastre. (When he arrived...)
• Reduced: Ao chegar em casa, viu o desastre. (Upon arriving...)

The reduced version is faster. It removes the extra pronoun ele. Another one:

• Developed: Como não tinha dinheiro, ficou em casa. (Since he had no money...)
• Reduced: Não tendo dinheiro, ficou em casa. (Not having money...)

Notice how the gerúndio replaces the whole como não tinha. It’s more elegant. In English, we do this too. But Portuguese has more specific rules for each verb form. The infinitivo pessoal (personal infinitive) is a unique Portuguese feature. You can even reduce clauses where the subject is explicit! This is the "final boss" of Portuguese grammar. Master this, and you are truly C1.