Grammar tips

Today we will take a close look at some grammar in this week’s translation exercise.

“(...) The critics who/that studied Machado de Assis (...)”

• Grammar point: The relative pronouns "who" and "that" can both refer to people; only "which” cannot be used here, as it would refer to things.

“But/Yet after Jean-Michel Massa’s groundbreaking studies, it is difficult to maintain this point of view/viewpoint.”

• Grammar points: Since the conjunction in Portuguese - "mas" - is an informal use, the more appropriate terms to use here, and maintain the language register, would be "but" or "yet", with no comma directly following the conjunction.

“In fact, his misfortunes/sufferings do not seem to exceed/differ from those of regular/everyday people, nor was his life particularly hard/harsh/arduous/tough.”

• Grammar points: "nor was his life" is an example of a negative adverbial inversion: 

Next Friday, we will dive deeper into these subjects, so stay tuned for more of Todd's grammar tips in our CACD English Newsletter!!