When to write à or a in Portuguese: crase explained

Check the relationship before adding the accent

A destination expression and a direct object can mention the same school but have different structures. Compare a masculine equivalent when it preserves the same relationship: ao museu can help explain à escola. This is a check, not a license to ignore article use.

Voltei à escola e visitei a biblioteca.

I returned to the school and visited the library.

Learn common complete expressions

Clock times in the usual a-based expression use forms such as às oito and à uma. Common expressions also include à tarde and à vontade. Learn the phrase rather than adding an accent to every time expression.

A visita começa às nove.

The visit starts at nine.

Notice what cannot supply a feminine article

An ordinary infinitive does not provide that article: comecei a estudar. The expression a pé also has no grave accent. Place names require attention to their own article pattern, so not every destination has crase.

Comecei a estudar à noite.

I started studying at night.

Practise, then recall it later

The matching grammar block includes guided practice, a separate mastery check and spaced review. The first 10 blocks of each course are free; other available blocks require course access or an eligible trial.

Build on this pattern

• Portuguese articles: o, a, um and uma without guessing noun gender
• Cujo, cuja and prepositions in Portuguese relative clauses