O que é uma partícula na gramática? Definição simples e exemplos

Apparently, texting your boss that you ‘made out’ with the client when you meant ‘made up’, could make you want to punch yourself.

Don’t get me started.

I thought my English language was good. But no, there’s always one thing or another tripping me up. That day, I learned ‘out’ and ‘up’ can have very different meanings based on the context.

And these words even have a name, i.e., particles.

I spent a good amount of time learning what is a particle in grammar, it’s time I pass that wisdom on to you.

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Principais conclusões

• Particles in the English grammar are small words that add context to a sentence. They are usually attached to a verb, and they don’t have a definitive meaning on their own.

• Adding a particle to a verb can change the original meaning of that verb. For example, break up means ending a relationship, while the verb itself could mean shatter or interrupt, depending on the context.

• You can add a different particle to the same verb and end up with words with different meanings. Get up, get in, and get out are all examples of how particles can form different phrasal verbs.

• Particles and prepositions might look the same, but they have different purposes. A preposition connects two words in a sentence, whereas a particle only forms phrasal verbs.

• There are three different types of particles (verb, negative, and infinitive). It’s impossible to memorize them all, but you can eventually learn them through exposure and understanding.

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What Is a Particle in Grammar? (Simple Definition)

Alright, let’s settle this. What is a particle in English grammar?

Particles are small words that tag along with verbs and change their meaning. I’m talking words like up, out, off, in, e longe.

They seem harmless if you judge them on their own. Add them to a verb, and suddenly you have a whole new expression.

Você wake up (not just wake).
Você hang out (not just hang).
Você break down (not literally into pieces, but close enough).

Characteristics of Particles

The definition of particle says it is a word that alters verbos to form phrasal verbs, and these characteristics support that definition.

1. They function alongside verbs: A particle works as part of a verb phrase to create a new meaning. Remove it, and the verb often loses its intended sense. 
2. They don’t change: Particles never take endings or forms. You cannot make para cima, out, ou desligado plural or past tense. Their meaning depends entirely on the verb they appear with.
3. They can shift position: In many cases, the particle can move around the object. You can say turn off the light ou turn the light off, both of which are grammatically correct.
4. They alter the verb’s meaning
5. Changing the particle changes everything: Take off means to remove, take on means to accept, and take up means to begin something new.

Examples of Particles in English

Particles hide in the most ordinary expressions and decide what your sentence really means.

Let me show you some examples.

1. Verb + Particle Combinations

Some verbs completely change their meaning depending on the particle that follows. Here are a few examples:

• Turn up – to arrive somewhere, often unexpectedly (He turned up late again.)
• Give in – to stop resisting or finally agree (After hours of arguing, she gave in.)
• Break down – to stop functioning or to lose emotional control (The lift broke down. / She broke down in tears.)

2. The Same Verb, Different Particles

Sometimes one verb takes on several particles, and each creates a new idea.

Tomar tomar, for example:

• Take off – to remove something or to leave quickly (She took off her jacket. / The plane took off at noon.)
• Take on – to accept a challenge or responsibility (He’s taking on a new project.)
• Take up – to start something or begin a habit (I’ve taken up painting.)

The main verb stays the same, but that small word after it changes the whole situation.

3. Particles and Meaning in Context

Particles are sensitive to context.

Por exemplo:

• Put off – can mean to postpone (They put off the meeting until Friday), but it can also mean to discourage (The smell of the food put me off).
• Work out – can mean to exercise (She works out every morning), or to find a solution (They worked out the problem together).

The meaning depends on how it’s used. This is why you can’t memorize them. You will just have to learn them in context.

4. Particles vs. Prepositions in Action

It’s easy to confuse particles with prepositions because many look identical. The difference lies in their function.

• She looked up the word. → Here, para cima é um particle. It completes the meaning of olhar.
• She looked up at the ceiling. → Here, para cima é um preposição. It shows direction and connects olhou para ceiling.

A good way to tell them apart is this: if removing the word changes the meaning of the verb completely, it’s a particle.

5. Everyday Examples

We use particles in our daily conversations far more often than we realize.

• Show up (arrive)
• Hang on (wait)
• Carry on (continue)

It is easier to understand particles once you look at what is a particle in grammar examples.

Particle vs. Preposition: What’s the Difference?

This was the most confusing part for me because particles and prepositions look the same at first glance.

It’s only when you truly understand the particle definition that you see the difference.

A preposition connects words and shows relationships. A particle, on the other hand, sticks to a verb and changes its meaning.

Olha para estas duas frases:

• She looked up the word.
• She looked up at the ceiling.

Same word, para cima, but it’s doing two completely different jobs. In the first sentence, para cima is a particle because it belongs to the verb olhar.

If you remove it, the meaning changes. “She looked the word” doesn’t make sense. In the second sentence, para cima is a preposition because it connects olhou e ceiling.

Types of Particles in English

As with all other components of English grammar, particles also have different types.

1. Verb Particles (Phrasal Verbs)

A verb particle combines with a verb to create a new meaning. More often than not, this meaning has nothing to do with the original verb.

For example, turn up, break down, give in, etc.

You can’t understand these phrases by looking at the individual words.

2. Negative Particle

The negative particle is probably the easiest to spot because it’s the word não. It turns a statement into its opposite.

• I am going. → I am not going.
• She likes coffee. → She does not like coffee.

3. Infinitive Particle

The infinitive particle is the word para that appears before the base form of a verb. It appears in phrases like to eat, to go, ou to study.

• I want to learn English.
• She promised to call.

How Particles Change Meaning in Phrasal Verbs

We’ve established that particles can turn an ordinary verb into something completely different.

One tiny word, and suddenly the sentence is saying something else entirely.

Pode turn up the volume, turn down an offer, turn off the lights, or turn out to be right. None of those sentences overlap in meaning, yet they all share the same root verb.

Particles don’t follow logic. They follow usage. You hear them, use them, and slowly start to sense what feels right.

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Common Mistakes Learners Make with Particle

You can’t master particles overnight, but learning to avoid some rookie mistakes is a great starting point.

1. Mixing Particles 

As I said above, particles sound logical when you are speaking fast. I once said, “I’ll pick on you at 8” when I meant pick you up. The person just stared at me like I’d threatened them.

Don’t use it if you’re not 100% sure what it means.

2. Using Particles Randomly

I’ve seen people throw particles in randomly because native speakers use them so much. But particles aren’t fillers.

Nine times out of ten, the sentence works better without it.

3. Wrong Order

Sometimes the particle moves, sometimes it doesn’t, and sometimes it depends on what follows.

Turn off the light e Turn the light off both work. Turn off, it does not. Other languages don’t do this kind of switch, but well… English does.

How to Identify a Particle in a Sentence

Particles confuse us because they look like prepositions or adverbs, but particle grammar behaves differently.

A simple way to identify one is to see if it changed the meaning of the verb. For example, olhar e look up don’t mean the same thing.

You can also test it by moving it around. If it still makes sense, you’re dealing with a particle, not a preposition.

Particles also pair emotionally with verbs. Each of them tells a slightly different story. Get better at noticing that emotional shift, and you will start spotting them everywhere.

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Conclusão

I still have nightmares about when I used to randomly insert particles in my sentences without knowing their meaning. Those were innocent mistakes, yes, but they were mortifying.

It took me a while to learn the rules of English grammar, and sometimes I still slip up here and there.

Learning what is a particle in grammar can also take you a while.

As my parting gift to you, here’s my last tip.

Utilização IA's indetectáveis tools to help you on this journey. It will save you from making a lot of mistakes!