Ao + Infinitive

In Portuguese, we use ‘ao’ + verb in the infinitive, when we're talking about actions that happen ‘when,’ while,’ ‘on,’ ‘as’ or ‘as soon as’ something else occurs. This helps us express time relationships briefly. Let's look at some examples to understand how it's used:

• Ao caminhar no parque, eles encontraram uma carteira. (While walking in the park, they found a wallet.)
• Ao ouvir a notícia, ela desabou em lágrimas. (Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears.)
• 🏠 Ao entrar em casa ele sentiu o cheiro a gás. (On entering the house he sensed the smell of gas.)
• 💡 Ao acender a luz, eles perceberam que a casa estava desarrumada. (When they turned on the light, they realized the house was a mess.)

This is one of the situations where the personal infinitive may be used. If the infinitive is personal it will have an ending that allows us to identify to whom the verb applies.

Personal Infinitive Conjugation Pattern

Saber (to know)

• Eu saber
• Tu saberes
• Você / Ele / Ela saber
• Nós sabermos
• Vocês / Eles / Elas saberem
• 🚌 Ao virares a esquina, vais ver a paragem de autocarro. (As you turn the corner you will see the bus stop.)
• Ao compreendermos do nosso erro, pedimos desculpas. (When we understood our mistake, we apologised.)
• Ao ouvirem as boas notícias, começaram a saltar de alegria. (When they heard the good news, they started jumping for joy.)

As a side note, it's important to mention that ‘ao’ + infinitive is used when there are two clauses, and cannot be used to express sentences such as ‘Quando vais para casa?’ (When are you going home?).