In 15 Seconds
- Used to justify decisions with evidence.
- Best for professional, academic, or serious contexts.
- Signals that thoughts are grounded in assessment.
- Usually followed by a specific data source.
Meaning
This phrase is used to show that your opinion or decision is grounded in a specific assessment. It's like saying 'Using the evaluation as a foundation' to prove you aren't just making things up. It carries a vibe of authority, professionalism, and logic, ensuring your listener knows you've done your homework.
Key Examples
3 of 10Job interview feedback
Tendo como base a avaliação técnica, decidimos seguir com sua contratação.
Based on the technical evaluation, we decided to proceed with your hiring.
Texting a work group on Slack
Tendo como base a avaliação do feedback dos usuários, vamos mudar o design.
Based on the evaluation of user feedback, we are going to change the design.
Performance review
Tendo como base a avaliação anual, você superou todas as expectativas.
Based on the annual evaluation, you exceeded all expectations.
Cultural Background
The emphasis on 'avaliação' and 'base' in Portuguese-speaking professional cultures, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, reflects a deep-rooted bureaucratic and academic tradition. In these societies, formal justification and the 'stamp of approval' (o carimbo) are historically significant. Using this phrase demonstrates that an individual respects the hierarchy of evidence and formal processes, which is a key cultural value in corporate and government environments where 'jeitinho' (the quick fix) is often contrasted with 'procedimento' (formal procedure).
The 'A' Secret
In speech, always add 'a' before 'avaliação'. It makes the phrase flow much more naturally and prevents you from sounding like a translated manual.
Don't be a robot
Using this phrase at a bar will make you look like you're trying too hard. Save it for the office or when you're writing something official.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to justify decisions with evidence.
- Best for professional, academic, or serious contexts.
- Signals that thoughts are grounded in assessment.
- Usually followed by a specific data source.
What It Means
Imagine you are sitting in a high-stakes Zoom meeting with your boss. They ask why you decided to pivot the entire marketing strategy. You don't just say 'I had a dream about it.' You say Tendo como base a avaliação... to show you have data, logic, and a solid foundation. This phrase is the ultimate 'receipt' in the Portuguese language. It tells people that your thoughts aren't floating in the air; they are anchored to something real.
What It Means
At its core, tendo como base means you are using something as your starting point or your structural support. When you add avaliação (evaluation) to it, you are specifically pointing to a formal or informal assessment. It is the linguistic equivalent of a lawyer pointing to a piece of evidence. You aren't just guessing; you are concluding. The 'base' here is literal—without it, your argument would collapse like a cheap IKEA shelf. It conveys that you have analyzed the situation and are now presenting the logical next step. It’s a very B2-level way to sound sophisticated without sounding like a robot from a 1970s sci-fi movie.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to introduce the reason behind a choice or a statement. It almost always appears at the beginning of a sentence to set the stage. You'll say Tendo como base a avaliação dos dados... (Based on the evaluation of the data...). Note that in real life, we usually add the article a before avaliação to make it 'the evaluation.' If you’re writing a formal report, you might drop the article for a more 'telegraphic' or title-like style, but in speech, keep that a in there. It’s like the salt in your brigadeiro—small, but it makes everything better. You can use it for performance reviews, academic feedback, or even when explaining to your partner why you think you should order sushi tonight based on your 'financial evaluation' of the week.
Formality & Register
This is a 'suit and tie' phrase. It sits comfortably in the 'formal' to 'neutral' range. You will see it in business emails, LinkedIn 'thought leader' posts, and university essays. It’s rarely used in a casual bar setting unless you’re being incredibly sarcastic with your friends. If you say to your friend, Tendo como base a avaliação do seu hálito, você precisa de um chiclete (Based on the evaluation of your breath, you need gum), they might laugh or never speak to you again. Use it when you want to be taken seriously. It’s perfect for job interviews when you need to explain your past successes without sounding like you’re bragging.
Real-Life Examples
You’ll find this phrase everywhere in the professional world. In a performance review, a manager might write, Tendo como base a avaliação anual, decidimos promover você. (Based on the annual evaluation, we decided to promote you). On a news site like G1 or BBC Brasil, you might read about a government decision: Tendo como base a avaliação técnica, o projeto foi aprovado. (Based on the technical evaluation, the project was approved). Even in the world of fitness, a trainer might say, Tendo como base a avaliação física, seu treino será focado em cardio. (Based on the physical assessment, your workout will focus on cardio). It’s the phrase that turns an opinion into a professional judgment. If phrases were clothes, this one would be a well-tailored blazer.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to justify a decision. It’s great for the 'Results' section of a presentation. Use it when you are giving feedback to someone and want to remain objective. It’s also very useful in academic writing when you are citing a study. Basically, whenever you feel the need to say 'because of the study/test,' swap it for tendo como base a avaliação to level up your Portuguese instantly. It’s also a lifesaver in those awkward HR meetings where everything needs to be documented and justified. It keeps things professional and avoids 'he said, she said' drama.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for gut feelings. If you just 'feel' like it’s going to rain, don't say tendo como base a avaliação. That sounds like you’ve been staring at a barometer for three hours. Don't use it for trivial things like choosing which socks to wear. Tendo como base a avaliação das minhas meias... is just too much effort for a Tuesday morning. Avoid using it in fast-paced WhatsApp groups with lots of slang and emojis. You'll look like the person who brings a fork and knife to a pizza party. Keep it for moments that actually require a 'base' or a 'foundation.'
Common Mistakes
One of the biggest trip-ups is forgetting the como. Many people try to say ✗ Tendo base avaliação, which sounds like you’re missing a limb. It must be Tendo COMO base. Another mistake is using em instead of a or nothing. ✗ Tendo como base na avaliação is redundant because na is em + a. Just say Tendo como base a avaliação. Also, watch out for the word avaliação itself—don't confuse it with evolução (evolution). Unless you are evaluating Darwin's theories, they are very different things! Using evolução when you mean avaliação might lead your boss to think you’re planning a species-wide upgrade rather than just checking the monthly sales.
Common Variations
If tendo como base feels a bit too long, you can use com base em. It’s slightly more common and a tiny bit less formal. Com base na avaliação... works perfectly in almost every situation. Another cousin is segundo a avaliação (according to the evaluation) or de acordo com a avaliação (in accordance with the evaluation). These are all great tools in your linguistic belt. If you want to sound even more 'executive,' you could try partindo da avaliação (starting from the evaluation). It’s like picking between different brands of premium coffee—they all get the job done, but the 'vibe' is slightly different.
Real Conversations
Speaker A: Por que você mudou o roteiro da viagem? (Why did you change the trip itinerary?)
Speaker B: Tendo como base a avaliação dos preços dos voos, achei melhor ir para Lisboa. (Based on the evaluation of flight prices, I thought it was better to go to Lisbon.)
Speaker A: O que você achou do meu projeto? (What did you think of my project?)
Speaker B: Tendo como base a avaliação preliminar, você fez um excelente trabalho, mas precisamos ajustar o orçamento. (Based on the preliminary assessment, you did an excellent job, but we need to adjust the budget.)
Speaker A: Você acha que ela vai passar no teste? (Do you think she will pass the test?)
Speaker B: Tendo como base a avaliação do simulado, ela tem grandes chances. (Based on the mock exam evaluation, she has great chances.)
Quick FAQ
Is this phrase too formal for an email to a colleague? Not if the topic is serious! If you’re discussing a project or a decision, it’s perfectly fine. It shows you’re being objective rather than personal. Just don't use it if you’re asking if they want to grab a coffee. That would be like wearing a tuxedo to the beach—confusing for everyone involved.
Can I say baseando-me na avaliação? Yes! That is a very elegant alternative. It literally means 'basing myself on the evaluation.' It’s a bit more personal because you are explicitly mentioning yourself (me), whereas tendo como base is a bit more detached and objective. Use the latter if you want the focus to stay on the data and the former if you want to emphasize your analytical process.
Does it work for negative news? Absolutely. In fact, it’s a great way to 'soften the blow.' Instead of saying 'You failed because I said so,' saying Tendo como base a avaliação de desempenho... makes it about the criteria, not about you being a 'mean' person. It’s the professional way to say 'It’s not me, it’s your numbers.'
Usage Notes
This phrase is high-register and ideal for workplace or academic environments. It effectively signals objectivity. Be careful not to use it in casual settings, and always remember to follow it with the specific thing being evaluated (e.g., performance, data, prices).
The 'A' Secret
In speech, always add 'a' before 'avaliação'. It makes the phrase flow much more naturally and prevents you from sounding like a translated manual.
Don't be a robot
Using this phrase at a bar will make you look like you're trying too hard. Save it for the office or when you're writing something official.
The Bureaucracy Vibe
Brazilians love formal markers in business because it signals 'respeito' (respect) for the process. This phrase is a shortcut to earning that respect.
Synonym Swap
If you've used 'tendo como base' twice in one paragraph, swap the next one for 'alicerçado em' (anchored in) to sound like a true literary master.
Examples
10Tendo como base a avaliação técnica, decidimos seguir com sua contratação.
Based on the technical evaluation, we decided to proceed with your hiring.
Shows the decision was objective and merit-based.
Tendo como base a avaliação do feedback dos usuários, vamos mudar o design.
Based on the evaluation of user feedback, we are going to change the design.
Justifies a team pivot using external data.
Tendo como base a avaliação anual, você superou todas as expectativas.
Based on the annual evaluation, you exceeded all expectations.
A very common formal way to deliver good news.
Tendo como base a avaliação dos textos, o autor parece contraditório.
Based on the evaluation of the texts, the author seems contradictory.
Used to anchor an academic critique.
Tendo como base a avaliação do imóvel, o preço está justo.
Based on the property appraisal, the price is fair.
In this context, 'avaliação' specifically means an appraisal.
Tendo como base a avaliação da pia, você não lava louça há três dias.
Based on the evaluation of the sink, you haven't washed dishes in three days.
Using formal language for a mundane task creates a funny, sarcastic effect.
Tendo como base a avaliação do nosso último ano, acho melhor terminarmos.
Based on the assessment of our last year, I think it's better we break up.
A very clinical and serious way to approach a difficult talk.
✗ Tendo base a avaliação, o projeto parou. → ✓ Tendo como base a avaliação, o projeto parou.
Based on the evaluation, the project stopped.
Never forget the 'como'! It's the bridge that makes the sentence work.
✗ Tendo como base na avaliação... → ✓ Tendo como base a avaliação...
Based on the evaluation...
Don't use 'na' (in the) here. Use the direct object 'a' (the).
Tendo como base a avaliação física, o app sugeriu mais treinos de perna.
Based on the physical assessment, the app suggested more leg workouts.
Modern context involving health tech.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in this formal phrase.
The full expression is 'Tendo como base', which means 'having as a base'.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
You don't need 'na' (em + a) because 'tendo como base' takes a direct object or 'em'. Usually, 'a avaliação' is preferred.
Translate this sentence into Portuguese using the target phrase.
This exercise tests your ability to translate a complex professional thought into the correct formal register.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Base' Phrases
Used with friends/family
Pelo que eu vi...
General daily use
Com base no que aconteceu...
Work/Academic context
Tendo como base a avaliação...
Legal/Scientific documents
Alicerçado na avaliação técnica...
Where to use 'Tendo como base avaliação'
Job Interview
Justifying a career move
University Paper
Analyzing a theory
Doctor's Office
Explaining a diagnosis
Business Report
Annual growth results
Court Room
Presenting evidence
Synonym Nuances
Types of Evaluations (Avaliações)
Corporate
- • Desempenho
- • Anual
- • Salarial
Education
- • Escolar
- • Acadêmica
- • Final
Technical
- • Técnica
- • Pericial
- • Imobiliária
Practice Bank
3 exercisesTendo ___ base a avaliação, decidimos mudar o plano.
The full expression is 'Tendo como base', which means 'having as a base'.
Find and fix the mistake:
Tendo como base na avaliação, os resultados são bons.
You don't need 'na' (em + a) because 'tendo como base' takes a direct object or 'em'. Usually, 'a avaliação' is preferred.
Based on the technical evaluation, we approved the update.
Hints: Tendo como base..., avaliação técnica, atualização
This exercise tests your ability to translate a complex professional thought into the correct formal register.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
18 questionsYes, but only if the context is work-related or serious. If you are discussing a project update with your team on Slack or WhatsApp, it’s a great way to sound professional and efficient. However, avoid it in casual chats with friends as it will likely sound overly formal or even sarcastic.
Not exactly, although they are related. 'Because of' is very broad and just shows cause, while 'tendo como base' specifically highlights that the evaluation is the foundational evidence for your conclusion. It is a much more precise and academic way to link a cause to an effect.
Yes, the word 'como' is a mandatory part of this specific expression. Without it, the sentence 'Tendo base a avaliação' is grammatically incorrect in Portuguese. It functions as a comparative link that establishes the 'evaluation' as the 'base' for the statement that follows.
Absolutely! In Portuguese, 'avaliação' can mean a school test, a performance review, a house appraisal, a medical check-up, or even a mental judgment of a situation. It is a very versatile word that covers almost any kind of systematic analysis or assessment.
Both are excellent, but 'Tendo como base' is slightly more formal and 'writerly.' Use 'Com base em' for spoken professional conversations and 'Tendo como base' for formal emails, reports, or when you really want to emphasize the objectivity of your decision-making process.
It is very rare to see it at the end. Usually, this phrase acts as an introductory clause to set the context for the main action. For example, you say the basis first, then the result. Putting it at the end would make the sentence feel 'backwards' and harder for a native speaker to follow.
No problem! You just change the article and the noun to plural: 'Tendo como base as avaliações...' (Based on the evaluations...). The rest of the phrase stays exactly the same. This is common when you are synthesizing data from multiple sources or different departments.
Yes, it is widely used in European Portuguese as well. The formality level is quite similar, though the Portuguese might sometimes prefer even more complex structures. Overall, it is a safe, high-value phrase for any Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) environment you find yourself in.
Not at all. In fact, it sounds very polite because it removes the personal element. Instead of saying 'I think you are wrong,' you are saying 'Based on the evaluation, there is a discrepancy.' It shifts the focus from a personal conflict to an objective data point, which is always safer.
Yes, 'Tendo por base' is a perfectly valid and very common variation, especially in Portugal. 'Por base' and 'como base' are interchangeable in most contexts. 'Como base' is slightly more common in Brazil, while 'por base' has a slightly more traditional feel to it.
Usually, yes, because it refers to the process or the final report. However, if you are referring to a specific set of multiple individual tests, you can use the plural. In 90% of business cases, the singular 'avaliação' is used to represent the collective feedback or assessment results.
Only if you are going for a 'pro-tip' or 'educational' vibe. If you are a fitness coach or a business consultant on Instagram, this phrase works well to establish authority. For a selfie at the beach? Definitely not, unless you are making a joke about evaluating the sun.
The most important part is the ending '-ção.' It is a nasal sound, similar to the 'ng' in 'song' but with your mouth almost closed. The 'v' is a clean 'v' sound, not a 'b.' Practice saying 'ah-vah-lee-ah-SOW' (nasal) to get closer to the native rhythm.
There isn't a direct 'opposite' phrase, but you could say 'Apesar da avaliação...' (Despite the evaluation...). This shows that you are making a decision even though the data suggests otherwise. It is a way to signal that you are following your intuition over the foundation.
Unless you want to sound like a lawyer, avoid it. Using 'avaliação' to talk about a date or a partner is usually seen as cold or overly analytical. However, it can be used humorously to tease a partner about their 'performance' in cooking or choosing a movie.
Frequently. Lawyers and judges use it to link their rulings to specific evidence or expert assessments. It provides the necessary legal grounding. If you are reading a Brazilian court case summary, you are almost guaranteed to see this or a similar 'base' phrase.
At the B2 level, you move away from simple 'porque' (because) and start using 'discourse markers' like this. It shows you can structure a complex argument and use higher-register vocabulary. It's the difference between saying 'The food is bad' and 'Based on the evaluation of the ingredients, the food is bad.'
Not really, because it is inherently a formal phrase. Slang is usually the opposite of formal assessment. However, in Rio, someone might say 'Pelo que eu saquei da parada' (From what I got from the thing), which is the extreme informal version of basing a thought on an evaluation.
Related Phrases
Com base em
synonymBased on
This is a slightly more common and slightly less formal version that can be used in almost all the same situations.
De acordo com
related topicAccording to
Used to cite a source or a person rather than specifically a foundational assessment or evaluation.
Partindo do pressuposto
related topicStarting from the assumption
Used when your argument is based on a theory or assumption rather than a confirmed evaluation or piece of evidence.
Segundo a avaliação
synonymAccording to the evaluation
A very direct way to attribute a fact to an assessment, often used in news reporting.
Apesar da avaliação
antonymDespite the evaluation
Used to introduce a contrast where the decision goes against what the evaluation originally suggested.
Alicerçado em
formal versionAnchored/Grounded in
An even more formal and metaphorical way to say your ideas are firmly built on a specific foundation.