Linking Words
Links
Translation
Examples
ou… ou
Either you study
or work
You can go either
by taxi or by
bus.
either… or
In negative
sentence
Link two or more
negative
ideas
nem… nem
You can’t go
either by
taxi or by
bus.
neither… nor
With the verb in
the negative
Link two or more
negative
ideas
nem… nem
Neither he nor
she is (are)
wrong.
He speaks only
German. He
speaks
neither
English nor
Spanish.
tanto… quanto
Both Arthur and
Jane are
late. They
were both
tired and
hungry.
either… or
Express a
decision
between two
possibilities
Either… or
ou… ou
nem… nem (com not)
Neither… nor
nem… nem (sem not)
Both… and
tanto… quanto
both… and
Express and
adding idea
Not only… but also
não apenas… mas também
Not only… but
also
Express and
adding idea
não apenas…
mas também
Sarah is not only
beautiful,
but also
very
intelligent.
Now observe the use and the difference between two very important
prepositions: Like and As, and As (conjunction):
► Click!
Like and As express and resemblance idea. They mean “como” in
Portuguese.
Examples:
He works like a horse.
She works as a secretary.
► Like shows resemblance, followed by a substantive and a pronoun, and it is
used to compare.
Examples:
She talks like a parrot.
You’re behaving like children.
As shows function, identity, or effective quality.
He works as a waiter.
Carol has been working as a guide.
► Note:
► When there is a verb after a comparison, we must use As and not Like:
You talk like your mother. (LIKE → preposition)
You talk as your mother does. (AS → conjunction) Nobody knows her as I do.
►
Linking Words - II
► Adversative
Linking
Words → Link ideas
that oppose
themselves
Links
Translation
But
mas, porém
However
contudo,
entretanto
(and) yet
(e) contudo, (e)
no entanto
Nevertheless
Não obstante,
mesmo
assim
Examples
He had no
qualifications,
But
however
and yet
nevertheless
he got the job.
► Consecutive
Linking
Words → Link ideas
that express
consequence or
conclusion
Links
Translation
Examples
So
assim
Therefore
portanto
Thus
por isso
The kids were
hungry,
so
therefore
thus
consequently
then
I bought pizza for
them.
Consequently
consequentement
e
Then
então
Hence
por isso, logo, daí
► Concessive
Linking
Words → Link ideas
that express
concession,
opposition
Links
Although
Though
Even though
In spite of →
(prep.)
despite
Translation
Examples
embora
embora (informal)
Although/Thoug
h we were
tired, we
went to the
beach.
muito embora
(mais
enfático)
Even though we
were tired,
we went to
the beach.
apesar de, a
despeito de
In spite of
/Despite the
danger, he
was calm.
► Explanative
Linking
Words → Link ideas
that express
explanation, the
reason of something
Links
Translation
Because
porque
As
como
Since
já que, desde que
For
visto que, pois
Examples
I’m leaving
because I’m
tired.
As it’s raining
again, we’ll
have to stay
at home.
Since I haven’t
got her
address I
can’t write to
her.
I decided to stop
and have
lunch, for I
was feeling
hungry.
► Adding
Linking Words → Link ideas
that express increase, continuation
Links
Translation
Examples
Besides
Além disso
Moreover
Além do mais
Furthermore
Além disso, ademais
I’m too busy,
besides
moreover
furthermore
in addition (to)
I lost my passport.
In addition (to)
Além disso