Convém assinalar que

Using this phrase is easier than it looks, but it requires a bit of poise. You usually place it at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a crucial fact. For example, Convém assinalar que o prazo termina amanhã. (It is fitting to note that the deadline ends tomorrow). Notice how the word que acts as a bridge. It connects your introductory 'fitting note' to the actual meat of the sentence. You can also use it after a comma to add a secondary point. O projeto está indo bem, mas convém assinalar que o orçamento está curto. (The project is going well, but it's worth noting the budget is tight). Just remember that convém always stays in the singular here. The 'thing' that is fitting is the entire clause that follows it. It’s a package deal! Don't try to make it plural even if you're pointing out three different things. That’s a common trap that even some natives fall into when they’re rushing their morning coffee.

This phrase lives in the 'formal' and 'very formal' neighborhoods of the Portuguese language. You won't hear teenagers saying this while playing Fortnite. You will, however, find it all over LinkedIn articles, academic papers, and legal contracts. It’s the gold standard for professional emails when you need to correct a colleague politely. If you use it in a casual WhatsApp group with your best friends, they might ask if you’ve been replaced by a bot. It has a high 'prestige' value. It shows you have a command of higher-level vocabulary. It’s perfect for job interviews or when writing a formal complaint to a delivery app. If a company messes up your order, starting your email with this phrase lets them know you mean business. It’s sophisticated, slightly cold, but incredibly effective at getting respect.

Imagine you are watching a serious documentary on Netflix. The narrator might say, Convém assinalar que as descobertas mudaram a história. (It is fitting to note that the discoveries changed history). It adds a layer of gravity to the statement. Or think about a travel vlogger visiting Lisbon. They might write an Instagram caption like: Convém assinalar que o sol em Portugal é mais forte do que parece! (It’s worth noting that the sun in Portugal is stronger than it seems!). Even in a semi-casual setting like a blog, it adds a touch of 'expert' vibe. In a corporate setting, your boss might use it during a performance review. Convém assinalar que seus resultados superaram as metas. (It is fitting to note that your results exceeded the goals). In this case, the formality makes the praise feel even more official and earned. It’s like getting a digital pat on the back with a fancy fountain pen.

Reach for this phrase when you are in a situation where precision matters. If you are writing a thesis, this is your best friend for highlighting key data. If you are in a business meeting and need to point out a risk, this phrase softens the blow while keeping it serious. It’s also great for 'setting the record straight.' If someone is misrepresenting a fact in a group chat (a formal one, like a work group), this phrase is your shield. It allows you to correct them without sounding aggressive. You are just 'noting what is fitting.' It’s the ultimate 'per my last email' energy but translated into elegant Portuguese. Use it when the stakes are high and you want your words to carry weight. It works wonders in cover letters too!

Whatever you do, don't use this at a bar while ordering a beer. Convém assinalar que eu quero uma imperial will get you some very weird looks from the bartender. It’s too stiff for casual hangouts. Also, avoid using it with children or pets. Telling your dog Convém assinalar que você é um bom garoto is technically correct but hilariously overkill. Avoid it in quick, informal texts where brevity is king. If you’re just saying 'Hey, don't forget the milk,' don't use this. Stick to Não esquece. Using it too often in a single conversation can also make you sound like a textbook come to life. Nobody likes a know-it-all, and this phrase can definitely cross that line if overused. Keep it as your secret weapon for when you really need to shine.

A very frequent error is adding an extra preposition. Many people say Convém assinalar de que, which is incorrect. You just need the que. Another mistake is the accent. In Portuguese, convém has an acute accent in the singular. If you were talking about multiple things 'fitting' (which we don't do with this specific expression usually), it would be convêm with a circumflex. But for this phrase, stick to the singular convém. ✗ Convêm assinalar que... → ✓ Convém assinalar que.... Also, watch out for the verb sinalizar. While it means to signal, it’s used differently. Assinalar is about marking a point of interest, while sinalizar is more about physical signals or traffic signs. Don't tell your boss you want to 'traffic sign' the budget cuts!

If you find yourself using convém assinalar que too much, you can swap it for cabe ressaltar que. This is very common in Brazil and means 'it is worth highlighting.' Another one is é importante salientar que. This one is a bit more direct but still very professional. If you want to be slightly less formal, you can use vale notar que (it's worth noting). In Portugal, you might hear importa referir que. All of these serve the same purpose: they act as a spotlight for your next sentence. They all have slightly different 'flavors.' Assinalar feels like you’re marking a map, while ressaltar feels like you’re bringing something into 3D. Choose the one that fits your mood, or mix them up to keep your writing from getting repetitive. Variety is the spice of life, even in formal grammar!

Is it the same as 'it's worth noting'? Yes, pretty much, but it's more formal. Think of it as the 'tuxedo version' of that English phrase. Can I use it in Brazil and Portugal? Absolutely! It’s universally understood and respected in all Portuguese-speaking countries. Is the accent mandatory? Yes, without the accent on convém, it’s not a word. The accent tells you where the stress is and marks it as a third-person singular verb. Should I use it in a tweet? Only if you're trying to be ironic or if you're a high-level politician. Otherwise, you'll probably run out of characters before you get to the actual point!