Gostar and Precisar and the proposition "de"

[r_i_l_e_y]

I always thought that Gostar and Precisar were alike in that they needed to be followed by the proposition "de" or one of it's contractions.

Eg
Você gosta de suco?
Eu preciso deste camisa!

Then I saw that it wasn't needed for Precisar when followed by a verb:

Eg
Eu preciso caminhar.

But it seems like I do for Gostar?

Eg
Ele gosta de escrever.

Can someone clarify if the rules are indeed different for Precisar and Gostar?

[Paulenrique]

Yes. They're different.... gostar requires preposition:

• Eu gosto de você
• Gostamos de estudar
• Gostei do presente
• Gostaria mais dessa casa

On the other hand, precisar does not require DE if you are using a verb:

• Preciso de três folhas
• Precisamos economizar dinheiro (we need to save money).

That would sound strange if you didn't follow the rule, but still understandable ;)

[djeidot]

Notice that there are also some exceptions to the "gostar de" rule. Duolingo's "I like it with the belt" (eu gosto com o cinto) weird sentence is an example where the use of "de" after "gostar" is not required. Normally when the English expression has an "it" (I like it with... / I like it when...) the verb "gostar" is used without the "de".

[tuuky]

This is tricky, because "eu gosto com o cinto" is implying what you like already... "eu gosto de apanhar com o cinto" :) So the "de" is still needed in the full sentence, but you make a good point.

[cinthiia_mc]

Very good observation.

[r_i_l_e_y]

Thanks Paulo, always helpful! They should have made you a moderator already!

[Paulenrique]

No problem. But you do a great thing creating new discussions. There might be many other people aiming to know these answers too ;) keep it up!

[yotamkdm]

that's right,
however, Paulo, you are awesome!

[Paulenrique]

=)

[RomaRRio]

simple rule, thank you

[GianIsAwesome]

Does this only count for preciso?

[Luis_Domingos]

If what follows is a verb, then yes ("Preciso trabalhar até às dez" - I need to work until 10).

[FelipeKail.an]

We call it Verbal Transitivity, or transitividade verbal. You are talking of the required preposition for the indirect object.

I will try to explain for you.

You can't say just Eu gosto, because the people you're talking for will say E você gosta do quê?. So, you should say what you like. Eu gosto de maçã.

Read more here:

• http://mundoeducacao.bol.uol.com.br/gramatica/transitividade-verbal.htm

[Pat214197]

I don’t understand verbs after studying Portuguese for 4.5 years and going to Brasil 14 times. Portuguese is a secret code, I have to translate everything. I study every day and speak with my Brasilian girlfriend for 1-3 hours but I can’t understand her. Any ideas? Thanks

[Cintye]

Hola, alquien puede clarificarme si "Eu gosto de você" significa "Me gustas" o "Te gusto". Gracias.

[evandroguaru]

eu gosto de você es el mismo que " a mi me gusta tú".

eu gosto de -me gusta\gustan

tu gostas de - te gusta \gustan

ele\ela gosta de- le gusta gustan

..