B2 · Intermédiaire supérieur Chapitre 5

Expressing Intensity and Logical Results

4 Règles totales
43 exemples
7 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of intensity and logical consequences to speak with natural precision.

  • Distinguish between tão (qualities) and tanto (quantities).
  • Connect actions and results using native-sounding structures.
  • Use 'assim' to add flow and explanation to your sentences.
Connect your ideas with precision and flair.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to take your Portuguese to the next level? In this chapter, we're diving deep into the art of expressing intensity and logical results – moving beyond simple statements to truly nuanced communication. You’ll master precisely *how much* or *how good* something is, and then effortlessly connect that to its consequences. We'll start by distinguishing between tão for qualities (adjectives) and tanto for quantities (nouns), and see how the crucial que links them to form powerful 'so... that...' constructions. Imagine telling a friend,

The food was *so delicious* that I *ate it all*!
(A comida era tão deliciosa que eu comi tudo!) or "It rained *so much* that we couldn't go out!" (Choveu tanto que não pudemos sair!). These structures will make your descriptions vivid and engaging. Next, we’ll explore various connectors that express logical results, understanding the subtle differences in formality that make your speech sound truly native. Finally, you’ll unlock assim, a versatile word that not only connects your ideas smoothly but also explains *how* something happened, adding fluidity to your sentences. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be communicating; you'll be expressing yourself with precision and flair. You'll confidently convey cause and effect, and the exact degree of things, making your Portuguese sound incredibly natural and sophisticated. Get ready to impress with your advanced Portuguese!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Construct complex sentences using 'tão... que' and 'tanto... que' to describe intense experiences.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to your next big step in mastering Portuguese grammar! If you're ready to move beyond basic sentences and express yourself with true nuance, this B2 level chapter is for you. We're diving deep into the art of conveying intensity and logical results, crucial elements for sounding natural and sophisticated in Portuguese.
This isn't just about knowing words; it's about understanding *how* to connect ideas, *how much* something is, and *why* things happen. By mastering these structures, you'll unlock a new level of fluency, allowing you to tell compelling stories, explain complex situations, and express your opinions with precision.
This chapter focuses on several powerful tools that will elevate your communication. We'll explore the versatile tão and tanto, essential for expressing «so... that...» constructions, whether you're describing qualities or quantities.
You'll learn how these words, combined with que, form a seamless link between a degree of something and its consequence. Beyond intensity, we’ll equip you with various connectors that signal logical results, ensuring your arguments flow smoothly and persuasively.
Our goal is to make your advanced Portuguese sound incredibly natural. You’ll learn the subtle differences between various connectors, helping you choose the perfect word for any context, from casual conversation to more formal writing. By the end of this guide, you’ll confidently express cause and effect, the exact degree of things, and the smooth transition between ideas, making your Portuguese B2 skills shine.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces you to the mechanics of expressing intensity and logical outcomes in Portuguese, building your ability to create complex and expressive sentences. We'll start with the foundational «so... that...» constructions.
Expressing 'So... That...' with Tão and Tanto
The key to expressing intensity followed by a result is the combination of tão or tanto with que.
* Tão (so): Used before adjectives and adverbs. It means so or such a.
* *Example:* Ela é tão inteligente que aprende rápido. (She is so intelligent that she learns quickly.)
* *Example:* Ele fala tão bem que todos o ouvem. (He speaks so well that everyone listens to him.)
* Tanto (so much/many): Used before or after verbs, or before nouns. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (tanto/tanta/tantos/tantas).
* *Example (before noun):* Havia tanta gente que não conseguimos entrar. (There were so many people that we couldn't get in.)
* *Example (after verb):* Ele trabalhou tanto que adoeceu. (He worked so much that he got sick.)
Expressing Results: So Much That... (Tanto... que)
This is a specific application of tanto where it emphasizes quantity or degree, directly leading to a consequence. It reinforces the idea of
so much/many... that...
.
* *Example:* Choveu tanto que as ruas ficaram inundadas. (It rained so much that the streets got flooded.)
* *Example:* Eles comeram tantos doces que ficaram com dor de barriga. (They ate so many sweets that they got stomach aches.)
Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore)
To connect ideas logically, indicating a consequence, Portuguese offers several useful connectors:
* Portanto (therefore, so): Often used in more formal contexts.
* *Example:* Ele estudou muito; portanto, passou no exame. (He studied a lot; therefore, he passed the exam.)
* Por isso (because of that, so): More common in everyday speech.
* *Example:* Ela estava cansada, por isso foi dormir cedo. (She was tired, so she went to sleep early.)
* Assim (so, thus): Versatile, can also mean in this way.
* *Example:* Não havia mais ingressos, assim, não pudemos ir ao show. (There were no more tickets, so we couldn't go to the show.)
* Consequentemente (consequently): Adds a formal tone.
* *Example:* A empresa teve grandes perdas; consequentemente, precisou demitir funcionários. (The company had great losses; consequently, it had to lay off employees.)
Connecting Ideas: 'Assim' (So / Thus)
Beyond expressing logical results, assim is incredibly versatile. It can also mean in this way or like this, explaining *how* something is done or happened.
* *Example:* Faça assim para consertar. (Do it this way to fix it.)
* *Example:* Ele é assim mesmo. (He is like that/just like that.)
This flexibility makes assim a powerful word for adding fluidity and clarity to your sentences.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: A comida estava tão bom que eu comi tudo.
✓ Correct: A comida estava tão boa que eu comi tudo.
*Explanation:* Tão modifies the adjective boa (good), which must agree in gender with the noun comida (food). The adjective bom (masculine) should be boa (feminine).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Choveu tanto pessoas que não pudemos sair.
✓ Correct: Choveu tanto que não pudemos sair. / Havia tantas pessoas que não pudemos sair.
*Explanation:* Tanto modifies the verb chover (to rain) directly when expressing
it rained so much.
If you're talking about so many people, then tanto must agree with the noun pessoas (people) becoming tantas.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Ele não estudou, tanto ele reprovou.
✓ Correct: Ele não estudou, por isso reprovou. / Ele não estudou; portanto, reprovou.
*Explanation:* While tanto can be part of a result clause, it's typically paired with que. For a standalone logical connector like so or therefore, por isso or portanto are the correct choices.

Real Conversations

A

A

O filme era tão emocionante que chorei do início ao fim! (The movie was so emotional that I cried from beginning to end!)
B

B

Ah, entendo! Eu estava tão cansada que adormeci no meio. (Oh, I understand! I was so tired that I fell asleep in the middle.)
A

A

Recebemos tantos pedidos que a produção não consegue acompanhar. (We received so many orders that production can't keep up.)
B

B

Sim, por isso precisamos contratar mais funcionários, assim o problema será resolvido. (Yes, because of that we need to hire more employees, thus the problem will be solved.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do you say so many in Portuguese when referring to a quantity?

You use tanto, which needs to agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: tanto (masculine singular), tanta (feminine singular), tantos (masculine plural), tantas (feminine plural).

Q

What's the main difference between tão and tanto in «so... that...» constructions?

Tão is used before adjectives or adverbs to describe a quality or manner (so good, so fast), while tanto is used before or after verbs, or before nouns, to describe a quantity or amount (so much, so many).

Q

Can I use assim interchangeably with por isso or portanto for so/therefore?

While assim can convey so or thus as a logical consequence, por isso and portanto are more direct and common for therefore or because of that. Assim often implies in this way or consequently in a slightly more formal or explanatory tone.

Cultural Context

In everyday Portuguese, especially in Brazil, por isso is a very common and versatile way to express so or "that's why." Portanto is generally more formal and often heard in speeches, academic discussions, or written texts. The tão... que and **tanto...
que structures are universally used and essential for vivid descriptions. While assim is widely understood, its usage as a logical connector can sometimes be replaced by por isso in more casual conversations, particularly when emphasizing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Mastering these nuances allows your Portuguese grammar** to sound natural and authentic.

Exemples clés (4)

1

Eu tenho tantos grupos no WhatsApp que meu celular travou.

J'ai tellement de groupes WhatsApp que mon téléphone a planté.

Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)
2

Havia tanta gente na festa que não conseguimos entrar.

Il y avait tellement de monde à la fête qu'on n'a pas pu entrer.

Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)
3

O trânsito estava horrível, assim chegamos atrasados.

Le trafic était horrible, ainsi nous sommes arrivés en retard.

Connecter les idées : 'Assim' (Ainsi / Donc)
4

Preencha o formulário assim, com letra maiúscula.

Remplissez le formulaire comme ça, en lettres majuscules.

Connecter les idées : 'Assim' (Ainsi / Donc)

Conseils et astuces (4)

🎯

Combine les deux pour plus d'effet

Pour vraiment insister sur une situation dramatique, tu peux enchaîner les deux structures :
Ele estava com tanta pressa e tão estressado que esqueceu o celular em casa.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer « Si... Que... » avec Tão et Tanto
💡

L'astuce de la rime

Si le nom se termine par 'a' comme 'festa', il y a de fortes chances qu'il faille utiliser tanta. C'est un bon moyen mnémotechnique : Tanta festa.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)
💡

Dans le doute, utilise `Então`

C'est ton joker : il passe partout dans la conversation courante sans jamais paraître bizarre.
Não tem pão, então vou à padaria.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer des résultats logiques (donc, par conséquent)
💡

Utilise 'Sendo assim' pour t'imposer

Tu veux avoir l'air d'un pro qui prend des décisions ? Utilise 'Sendo assim' (Cela étant dit / Dans ce cas) pour conclure :
O projeto mudou. Sendo assim, vamos recomeçar.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecter les idées : 'Assim' (Ainsi / Donc)

Vocabulaire clé (5)

tão so (for qualities) tanto so much (for quantities) portanto therefore assim this way / so / thus consequência consequence

Real-World Preview

plane

Planning a Trip

Review Summary

  • tão + adj/adv + que | tanto + (noun) + que
  • Result + portanto + consequence
  • Assim + clause

Erreurs courantes

Tanto is for quantities. Since intelligent is an adjective (quality), use tão.

Wrong: Ele é tanto inteligente.
Correct: Ele é tão inteligente.

You need a noun or a quantifier before 'que' when expressing amount.

Wrong: Choveu tão que eu não saí.
Correct: Choveu tanto que eu não saí.

While 'assim' works for 'in this way', 'portanto' is the correct formal connector for 'therefore'.

Wrong: Eu estava cansado, assim eu dormi.
Correct: Eu estava cansado, portanto eu dormi.

Next Steps

You've made incredible progress in this chapter! Keep practicing these structures in your daily conversations.

Write a short review of a movie using these connectors

Continue to: Advanced Flow and Contrast

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ela tem tanto amigas que é popular.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela tem tantas amigas que é popular.
'Amigas' est féminin pluriel, 'tanto' doit donc devenir 'tantas'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Preciso enviar o relatório para meu chefe, portanto vou usar 'daí'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Preciso enviar o relatório para meu chefe, portanto vou usar 'portanto'.
Pour un rapport à un chef, portanto est le choix formel le plus approprié, contrairement à daí qui est trop familier.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer des résultats logiques (donc, par conséquent)

Complète la phrase avec le connecteur le plus approprié.

O voo foi muito longo, ______ estou exausto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: por isso
por isso (c'est pour ça) introduit correctement le résultat (être épuisé) de la cause (le long vol).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer des résultats logiques (donc, par conséquent)

Complète avec le mot correct

O gerente saiu, ___ a reunião acabou.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: assim
On a besoin d'un connecteur de conséquence. 'Le manager est parti, ainsi la réunion s'est terminée.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecter les idées : 'Assim' (Ainsi / Donc)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Eu estudei tão que passei na prova.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu estudei tanto que passei na prova.
Pour intensifier un verbe comme 'estudei', tu dois utiliser 'tanto' après celui-ci.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer « Si... Que... » avec Tão et Tanto

Complète avec la bonne forme de tanto/a/os/as.

Eu tenho ___ coisas para fazer hoje!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tantas
'Coisas' est féminin pluriel, donc on utilise 'tantas'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)

Choisis la phrase correcte.

Quelle phrase exprime correctement la conséquence ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele tem tantos carros que não sabe qual usar.
'carros' est un nom masculin pluriel, il nécessite donc la forme correspondante 'tantos'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer « Si... Que... » avec Tão et Tanto

Quelle phrase utilise correctement la règle ?

Choisis la traduction de : 'Il a tellement mangé qu'il a dormi.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele comeu tanto que dormiu.
Quand on modifie un verbe (comer), on utilise la forme invariable 'tanto'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer la Conséquence : Tellement... que (Tanto)

Choisis la phrase la plus logique et correcte.

Quelle phrase a le plus de sens ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A bateria acabou, então o celular desligou.
La cause (la batterie est vide) doit venir avant le résultat (le téléphone s'éteint).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Exprimer des résultats logiques (donc, par conséquent)

Quelle phrase exprime la manière ?

Choisis la phrase où 'assim' signifie 'comme ça' :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu fiz o bolo assim, com chocolate.
Ici, 'assim' décrit *comment* le gâteau a été fait, pas un résultat.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Connecter les idées : 'Assim' (Ainsi / Donc)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

C'est simple : place 'tão' devant un adjectif ou un adverbe pour marquer l'intensité, puis 'que' pour la conséquence. Par exemple :
O café está tão quente que queimei a língua.
On utilise 'tanto' pour la quantité. Il se place après un verbe ou avant un nom. Avec un nom, il s'accorde en genre et en nombre :
Tinha tanta gente que...
Oui, mais le sens change un peu. Eu comi tanto! est juste une exclamation signifiant 'J'ai tant mangé !'. Le 'que' sert à introduire la conséquence.
Non, ce sont deux mots distincts. Tão s'utilise avec des adjectifs (si beau), alors que tanto gère les quantités (tant d'argent).
La manière la plus simple et courante, c'est então. Ça marche dans quasiment toutes les situations de la vie quotidienne, comme dans la phrase
Está frio, então use um casaco.
Oui, dans la plupart des contextes formels, ils signifient tous les deux 'par conséquent'. Portanto est souvent considéré comme un peu plus emphatique et lourd que logo, par exemple :
Não houve acordo, portanto a greve continua.
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Explaining Why: Cause and Purpose
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