apesar de + Infinitive/Noun

Apesar De with Infinitive or Noun

Level 4

Use apesar de to express a contrast (concession). It works with nouns (apesar da chuva) or verbs in the infinitive (apesar de estar cansado).

How It Works

The structure apesar de is a prepositional locution used to introduce a fact that does not prevent the main action from happening.

1. With Nouns and Pronouns:
When followed by a noun or pronoun, the preposition de must contract with the following word.

  • Articles: de + o = do, de + a = da.
  • Demonstratives: de + isso = disso, de + este = deste.
  • Personal Pronouns: de + ele = dele.

Example: Apesar disso, estou feliz. (Despite that, I am happy.)

2. With the Infinitive (Verbs):
This is a very common alternative to using the subjunctive.

  • Impersonal Infinitive: Used when the subject is the same as the main clause. (e.g., Apesar de estar doente, ele trabalhou.)
  • Personal Infinitive: Used when the subject of the concessive clause is different from the main clause. (e.g., Apesar de os preços subirem, as pessoas compram.)

3. Formal Writing Note:
In formal Portuguese, if the infinitive has an explicit subject preceded by an article, you should not contract the de with the article (e.g., apesar de o tempo estar ruim instead of apesar do tempo estar ruim). Similarly, avoid using 'apesar de que' with conjugated verbs in contexts where the infinitive is more natural.

Examples (5)

  1. Apesar da chuva, nós fomos à praia.

    Despite the rain, we went to the beach.

    Word by Word: Despite of-the rain, we went to-the beach.

    Here, 'apesar de' is followed by the noun 'chuva'. The preposition 'de' contracts with the feminine article 'a' to become 'da'.

  2. Apesar de estar cansada, ela estudou a noite toda.

    Despite being tired, she studied all night.

    Word by Word: Despite of to-be tired, she studied the night all.

    The impersonal infinitive 'estar' is used because the subject (she) is the same for both actions.

  3. Apesar de eles morarem longe, nós nos vemos sempre.

    Even though they live far away, we see each other always.

    Word by Word: Despite of they to-live far, we ourselves see always.

    This uses the personal infinitive 'morarem' because the subject 'eles' is different from the main clause subject 'nós'.

  4. Apesar do barulho, o bebê continuou a dormir.

    Despite the noise, the baby continued to sleep.

    Word by Word: Despite of-the noise, the baby continued to to-sleep.

    A simple noun construction using the contraction 'do' (de + o).

  5. Apesar de não ter dinheiro, ele é muito feliz.

    Despite not having money, he is very happy.

    Word by Word: Despite of not to-have money, he is very happy.

    Negation ('não') is placed between 'de' and the infinitive verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the subjunctive mood after 'apesar de'.

    Apesar de ele esteja doente, ele veio.
    Apesar de ele estar doente, ele veio.

    'Apesar de' requires the infinitive, not the subjunctive. If you want to use the subjunctive, you must use embora.

  • Using a conjugated verb directly after 'apesar de' without 'que'.

    Apesar de ele está cansado, ele estudou.
    Apesar de ele estar cansado, ele estudou.

    'Apesar de' must be followed by an infinitive or a noun. If you want to use a conjugated verb, you must use the conjunctional form 'apesar de que' (though this is less common than the infinitive construction).

  • Contracting 'de' with the subject of an infinitive in formal writing.

    Apesar do sol estar forte...
    Apesar de o sol estar forte...

    In formal grammar, the subject of an infinitive cannot be part of a contraction. While common in speech, keep them separate in writing.

How It Connects

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apesar de + Infinitive/NounLevel 4Apesar De with Infinitive or Noun

Learn This First

To use 'apesar de' correctly, you need to understand how the preposition 'de' behaves, including its contractions with articles. You also need to be comfortable using the infinitive form of verbs and nouns as objects following a prepositional phrase to express contrast.

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Words in This Pattern

apesar deapesar