Dec 1, 2004 12:54
19 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Portuguese term
Números, singular ou plural
Portuguese to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Tanho uma dúvida. Como en inglês usamos os números no singular - Ex. 2 million, numa frase a concordância terá que ser também singular? Então R$ 340 billion "was invested" ou "were invested"? Obrigado.
Proposed translations
23 hrs
Portuguese term (edited):
N�meros, singular ou plural
Selected
In this case, $34billion was invested.
There is a distinct difference to be noted in how the phrase is constructed. If the phrase includes the word "dollars", then you should utilize the plural form: "$34 billion dollars were invested". (Note that this is the case in all of the examples that George provided.)
If the phrase only includes the number, you should use the singular: "$34 billion was invested." "$34K was invested." In Eduardo's example of "millions", he is correct in saying that it should be plural, however, the phrase "$34 millions were" is incorrect. One would use the word "millions" in a more general phrase that does not delineate a number: "millions were invested in the new bridge."
Therefore, with regards to your original question about the phrase "R$ 34 billion was invested" vs. "R$ 34 billion were invested"--the first example would be correct.
Hope that was clear...please feel free to ask questions to clarify!
If the phrase only includes the number, you should use the singular: "$34 billion was invested." "$34K was invested." In Eduardo's example of "millions", he is correct in saying that it should be plural, however, the phrase "$34 millions were" is incorrect. One would use the word "millions" in a more general phrase that does not delineate a number: "millions were invested in the new bridge."
Therefore, with regards to your original question about the phrase "R$ 34 billion was invested" vs. "R$ 34 billion were invested"--the first example would be correct.
Hope that was clear...please feel free to ask questions to clarify!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you very much for your help Karen"
+2
30 mins
Portuguese term (edited):
N�meros, singular ou plural
$ 340 million "was invested"
I've provided a few examples of sites that contain examples of "$XX million was invested" that I found from a google search. Good luck!
8 hrs
Eduardo Queiroz
Native in Portuguese
Total satisfaction, or you don't pay!
Native in: Portuguese 
Works in: English to Portuguese, Spanish to Portuguese, Portuguese to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Portuguese term (edited):
N�meros, singular ou plural
either: if you want emphasis on "investment" => singular; else, on "amount" => plural
take your pick :)
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Karen Haggerty
: note the difference: If the word "dollars" is included ("$34 billion dollars were", then you use were for plural. If the amount is cited as just a number, you use the singular. ("$34 billion was")
14 hrs
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I agree with you... that's why, above, I say as long as it "sticks to the context". If emphasis is on the number - singular.
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+3
3 mins
George Rabel
Works in field
TRANSLATIONS THAT READ LIKE ORIGINALS
Native in: Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish, Spanish to English, and 1 more.
Portuguese term (edited):
N�meros, singular ou plural
were invested
In this case, the concordance is kept with the plural TWO million.
One million dollars was invested
Two million dollars were invested
Sorte!
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Note added at 10 hrs 5 mins (2004-12-01 22:59:57 GMT)
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En;Chiapas al Dia 216,(Foreign Investment in Chiapas),Sep 29
... Yet, in the year 1996 when the San Andres accords were signed between the EZLN
and the federal Government, 223.9 million dollars were invested. ...
www.eco.utexas.edu/~archive/ chiapas95/2000.11/msg00421.html - 27k - Cached - Similar pages
-------------------------------------------------------------------
R&D levy
About the R&D levy. In 2000–2001, $2.53 million dollars were invested in
citrus research and development projects. Approximately ...
www.austcitrus.org.au/internal.php?page_id=83 - 45k - Cached - Similar pages
----------------------------------------------------------------
THE HISTORY OF THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY
... Between three and four million dollars were invested in oil refineries, and the
town was receiving within 35,000 barrels of as much oil as New York City, and ...
www.history.rochester.edu/fuels/tarbell/UPTO52.HTM - 30k - Cached - Similar pages
One million dollars was invested
Two million dollars were invested
Sorte!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs 5 mins (2004-12-01 22:59:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
En;Chiapas al Dia 216,(Foreign Investment in Chiapas),Sep 29
... Yet, in the year 1996 when the San Andres accords were signed between the EZLN
and the federal Government, 223.9 million dollars were invested. ...
www.eco.utexas.edu/~archive/ chiapas95/2000.11/msg00421.html - 27k - Cached - Similar pages
-------------------------------------------------------------------
R&D levy
About the R&D levy. In 2000–2001, $2.53 million dollars were invested in
citrus research and development projects. Approximately ...
www.austcitrus.org.au/internal.php?page_id=83 - 45k - Cached - Similar pages
----------------------------------------------------------------
THE HISTORY OF THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY
... Between three and four million dollars were invested in oil refineries, and the
town was receiving within 35,000 barrels of as much oil as New York City, and ...
www.history.rochester.edu/fuels/tarbell/UPTO52.HTM - 30k - Cached - Similar pages
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
James Cook
: were invested
6 mins
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Thank you
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| agree |
Norbert Hermann
15 mins
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Thank you
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| disagree |
Karen Haggerty
: It is "was invested".
20 mins
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Thank you Karen. You might want to look at the examples I provided above, all from reputable institutions in English-speaking countries
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| agree |
António Ribeiro
14 hrs
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Thank you
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| agree |
2803
6 days
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Thank you
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Discussion