tendo em conta

The Portuguese expression tendo em conta is a sophisticated and highly versatile fixed phrase that translates most directly to English as 'taking into account,' 'taking into consideration,' or 'bearing in mind.' While it is fundamentally composed of the gerund form of the verb ter (to have), the preposition em (in), and the noun conta (account/count), it functions as a complex preposition or a subordinating conjunctional phrase when followed by que. This expression is a hallmark of formal, academic, and professional Portuguese, though it is frequently heard in standard daily conversation when a speaker wishes to justify a decision or provide context for an observation. It implies a process of mental weighing—looking at a specific set of facts, circumstances, or variables before reaching a conclusion or making a statement. In the hierarchy of Portuguese connectors, it sits comfortably at the C1 level because of its precision and the way it structures logical arguments.

Grammatical Function

It acts as a complex prepositional phrase that introduces a condition or a reason for the main clause of a sentence.

The phrase is ubiquitous in legal documents, corporate reports, and news broadcasts. When a judge delivers a sentence, they will often list the factors tendo em conta the defendant's history. When a meteorologist explains a weather warning, they do so tendo em conta the atmospheric pressure. It is more than just 'thinking about' something; it is about assigning weight to that information in a decision-making process. It is the linguistic bridge between data and conclusion. In European Portuguese, it is the standard way to express this sentiment, whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, you might more frequently hear levando em conta, although both are perfectly understood and grammatically correct in both variants. The choice of 'ter' (to have) over 'levar' (to take/carry) in this context suggests a state of possession of the facts—having them present in one's mental 'account'.

One must distinguish between the literal meaning of 'having in account' (like having money in a bank account) and this figurative usage. In this context, conta refers to consideration or notice. If you 'take someone into account,' you are giving them importance. This expression is essential for anyone aiming for fluency because it allows for the construction of complex sentences that mirror the logical flow of high-level thought. It is often used to soften a rejection or to provide a solid foundation for a request. For example, 'Tendo em conta o meu excelente desempenho, gostaria de pedir um aumento' (Bearing in mind my excellent performance, I would like to ask for a raise). Here, the phrase provides the logical 'why' before the 'what,' which is a common rhetorical strategy in Portuguese culture to avoid appearing too blunt or demanding.

Register and Nuance

While formal, it is not stiff. It shows that the speaker is thoughtful and considers multiple perspectives.

Historically, the phrase evolves from the commercial language of the Renaissance, where keeping 'accounts' was the primary way of organizing information and value. To 'have something in account' meant it was literally written in the ledger and therefore could not be ignored. Today, that ledger is mental. Whether you are discussing politics, science, or what to eat for dinner based on what is in the fridge, tendo em conta serves as the pointer to your evidence. It is a phrase that demands a follow-up; you cannot simply say 'tendo em conta' and stop. It requires an object (the thing being considered) and a result (the thought or action resulting from that consideration). This structural requirement makes it a powerful tool for organizing speech and writing.

Using tendo em conta correctly requires an understanding of its two primary syntactic roles: as a prepositional phrase followed by a noun, and as a conjunctional phrase followed by a clause. When followed by a noun, it functions much like 'considering.' For example: 'Tendo em conta o orçamento...' (Considering the budget...). In this structure, the focus is on a specific entity or fact. It is crucial to remember that the phrase itself does not change based on gender or number; tendo, em, and conta remain static. However, the article following conta must agree with the noun that follows. You would say 'tendo em conta as circunstâncias' (plural feminine) or 'tendo em conta o problema' (singular masculine).

Pattern 1: Noun Phrase

[Tendo em conta] + [Noun/Noun Phrase]. Example: Tendo em conta o atraso, vamos começar a reunião agora.

The second major pattern involves the addition of the word que. This transforms the phrase into a conjunction, allowing you to follow it with a full subject-verb-object clause. This is particularly useful for complex explanations. 'Tendo em conta que o trânsito está caótico, chegaremos tarde' (Taking into account that the traffic is chaotic, we will arrive late). Note that the verb following que is typically in the indicative mood because you are stating a fact that is being considered. However, in some conditional or hypothetical formal contexts, one might occasionally see a subjunctive, though it is far less common. This 'que' version is the workhorse of academic writing, appearing in the 'conclusions' or 'methodology' sections of papers to link evidence to findings.

Placement within the sentence is also flexible, which is a key feature of advanced Portuguese syntax. While it often starts a sentence to set the stage, it can also be placed in the middle as an appositive or at the end for emphasis. 'O projeto foi aprovado, tendo em conta a sua viabilidade económica.' Placing it at the end often gives the reason as an afterthought or a final justification, whereas placing it at the beginning makes the reason the primary focus. For learners, starting the sentence with the phrase is often the safest and clearest way to ensure the logical flow is understood. It signals to the listener: 'I am about to give you the reason for what I am about to say.'

Pattern 2: Clause

[Tendo em conta que] + [Subject] + [Verb]. Example: Tendo em conta que ele é novo aqui, devemos ajudá-lo.

Finally, consider the negative form or the inclusion of 'não.' While you rarely say 'não tendo em conta' (which would mean 'not taking into account'), it is more common to use 'sem ter em conta' (without taking into account). This is a vital distinction. If you want to say that someone ignored something, you use 'sem ter em conta as consequências' (without taking the consequences into account). The gerund 'tendo' is inherently active and affirmative. Using it correctly demonstrates a mastery of Portuguese sentence structure and an ability to handle nuanced logical transitions that are expected at the C1 level and beyond.

In the Lusophone world, the environment in which you are most likely to encounter tendo em conta is within the realms of formal discourse. If you tune into a Portuguese news channel like SIC Notícias or RTP, you will hear journalists and commentators using it constantly. It is the language of analysis. When discussing the state budget, a commentator might say, 'Tendo em conta a inflação atual, os salários devem ser ajustados.' This usage signals that the speaker is not just offering an opinion but is basing their statement on observable data. It lends an air of objectivity and intellectual rigor to the conversation.

News & Media

Used by analysts to link current events to their underlying causes or statistical realities.

In the workplace, particularly in Portugal, this phrase is a staple of meetings and emails. Portuguese business culture often values a certain level of formal politeness and indirectness. Using tendo em conta allows a manager to give feedback or set requirements without sounding overly dictatorial. Instead of saying 'Do this because I said so,' they might say, 'Tendo em conta os nossos objetivos para este trimestre, precisamos de focar neste projeto.' It frames the necessity within the context of shared goals. In Brazil, while 'levando em conta' is more frequent in casual settings, 'tendo em conta' remains the preferred choice for written reports and official communications, maintaining its status as a high-register marker.

The legal and administrative sectors are perhaps the most saturated with this phrase. Every 'Acórdão' (court ruling) or 'Despacho' (official order) will contain it. It is the mechanism by which the law applies general rules to specific facts. If you ever find yourself dealing with Portuguese bureaucracy—applying for residency, dealing with taxes, or signing a contract—you will see this phrase. It is the 'whereas' or 'considering' of the Portuguese legal world. Understanding it is not just a matter of vocabulary; it is a matter of understanding how decisions are justified in the Lusophone administrative system.

Academic Settings

Essential for thesis writing and defending arguments during oral examinations (júris).

Finally, you will hear it in the world of high-end customer service and hospitality. A concierge at a five-star hotel in Lisbon or a flight attendant in executive class might use it to explain a change in service. 'Tendo em conta as suas preferências, reservámos uma mesa junto à janela.' Here, it serves to make the customer feel seen and heard—their preferences were 'taken into account.' It elevates the level of service through language, showing that the provider is attentive to detail. Thus, while it is a 'big' phrase, its applications range from the cold halls of justice to the warm reception of a luxury hotel, always carrying the same core meaning of 'calculated consideration.'

One of the most frequent mistakes made by English speakers learning Portuguese is the literal translation of 'taking' into tomando. In English, we 'take' things into account, but in Portuguese, you 'have' (ter) or 'carry' (levar) them into account. Saying 'tomando em conta' is a classic 'Portunhol' or 'Anglicismo' error that sounds immediately wrong to a native ear. It is a sign that the speaker is translating directly from English rather than thinking in Portuguese. To avoid this, you must memorize the phrase as a single, unbreakable block: tendo em conta. Think of it as 'having in the account' rather than 'taking.'

The 'Tomar' Trap

Mistake: 'Tomando em conta...' (Direct translation of 'Taking into account'). Correct: 'Tendo em conta...' or 'Levando em conta...'.

Another common error involves the preposition em. Some learners confuse it with a or de, saying things like 'tendo a conta' or 'tendo de conta.' These are incorrect. The 'account' is a metaphorical place where the information resides, so the preposition em (in) is required. Furthermore, learners often forget to add the word que when they want to follow the phrase with a verb. 'Tendo em conta ele é rico' is incorrect; it must be 'Tendo em conta que ele é rico.' Without 'que,' the sentence lacks the necessary grammatical glue to connect the consideration to the clause. This is a subtle point but one that distinguishes B-level learners from C-level masters.

Confusion with the expression 'em conta' is also a hurdle. In Portuguese, if something is 'em conta,' it means it is cheap or has a good price-to-quality ratio. 'Este restaurante é muito em conta' (This restaurant is very affordable). While the words are the same, the meaning is entirely different. Learners sometimes try to combine these meanings, leading to nonsensical sentences like 'Tendo em conta o preço em conta' (Taking into account the affordable price). While technically possible, it sounds repetitive and clumsy. It is better to use a synonym like 'acessível' if you are discussing price in the same sentence as 'tendo em conta.'

Prepositional Agreement

Ensure the article following 'conta' matches the noun. 'Tendo em conta o (masc.) fator' vs 'Tendo em conta a (fem.) razão'.

Lastly, overusing the phrase in very casual, slang-heavy environments can make a learner sound 'livresco' (bookish) or 'armado em esperto' (acting like a know-it-all). In a relaxed conversation with friends about what movie to watch, saying 'Tendo em conta que o filme dura três horas, prefiro não ir' is grammatically perfect but might be greeted with a smirk. In such cases, 'Como o filme é longo...' or 'Já que o filme demora muito...' would be more natural. Mastery of a word involves knowing not just how to say it, but when to stay silent or choose a simpler alternative. The goal is to sound natural, not like a talking textbook.

To truly master Portuguese, you need a toolkit of alternatives to avoid sounding repetitive. While tendo em conta is excellent, there are several synonyms that carry slightly different nuances. The most common alternative is considerando. This is a direct cognate of 'considering' and is used in almost identical ways. It is slightly more direct and perhaps a tiny bit less formal than 'tendo em conta.' You can use it with a noun ('Considerando o tempo...') or with 'que' ('Considerando que o tempo...'). It is a safe, versatile backup that works in all Lusophone countries.

Levando em conta

This is the primary Brazilian alternative. It feels slightly more dynamic (carrying the thought) than the European 'having' the thought. Usage is identical.

Atendendo a

Very formal. It literally means 'attending to' or 'heeding.' Used in legal or extremely polite contexts. 'Atendendo ao seu pedido...' (Heeding your request...).

For more casual settings, you might use visto que or já que. These translate to 'seeing as' or 'since.' They are less about 'weighing factors' and more about 'stating a reason.' If the reason is obvious and doesn't require much 'accounting,' these are better choices. For example: 'Já que estás aqui, ajuda-me' (Since you're here, help me). You wouldn't say 'Tendo em conta que estás aqui...' unless you were trying to be humorous or overly dramatic. Another high-level alternative is em virtude de (by virtue of / due to). This is used when one thing is a direct consequence of another's quality or status. 'Em virtude do seu cargo, ele tem certas responsabilidades.'

In the legal world, you will also see em face de (in the face of / in light of). This is used when a decision is made specifically because of a prevailing situation or a piece of evidence. 'Em face das provas apresentadas, o réu foi absolvido.' It is very similar to 'tendo em conta' but emphasizes the confrontation with the facts. Finally, there is dado que (given that). This is a very common logical connector in both speech and writing. It is slightly more passive than 'tendo em conta'—it simply 'gives' the fact rather than 'accounting' for it. Using a mix of these will make your Portuguese sound rich, nuanced, and highly educated.

Por força de

Meaning 'by force of' or 'due to'. Used when a rule or law compels an action. 'Por força do contrato, temos de pagar.'

In summary, while 'tendo em conta' is a fantastic 'all-rounder' for formal and semi-formal consideration, knowing when to swap it for 'considerando' (for flow), 'visto que' (for simplicity), or 'atendendo a' (for extreme formality) is what characterizes a C1/C2 level speaker. Each of these alternatives provides a different 'flavor' to the logic of your sentence, allowing you to tailor your message precisely to your audience and context. Practice swapping them in your writing to see how the tone of your message shifts.