Portuguese Phrase
Tenho que levar isso adiante.
Meaning
The speaker is stating a personal responsibility to continue or advance a particular matter that has already been introduced in the conversation. It conveys a sense of duty and forward‑moving intent.
When to use
Use this phrase in professional or project‑related contexts when you need to tell a colleague or a manager that you will keep a task, idea, or initiative moving forward. It can also appear in personal conversations about plans that need to be pursued.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoquelevarissoadiante.
Obligation with "ter que"
"Tenho que" is the first‑person singular form of the periphrastic construction "ter que + infinitive", used to express personal obligation.
Verb infinitive after "que"
After "que" the following verb stays in the infinitive (levar), not conjugated.
"Levar adiante" idiom
"Levar adiante" means to move something forward, to continue or advance a project, idea, or task.
Demonstrative pronoun "isso"
"Isso" refers to something previously mentioned; it functions as a neutral demonstrative pronoun.
🗨In Conversation
Precisamos concluir o relatório até sexta-feira.
We need to finish the report by Friday.
Tenho que levar isso adiante.
I have to take this forward.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem que levar isso adiante.
"Tem que" is third‑person singular; for "I" you must use "tenho que".
Tenho que levar isso para frente.
While understandable, "levar para frente" sounds less idiomatic than the set phrase "levar adiante" in professional contexts.
Tenho levar isso adiante.
Missing the auxiliary "que" after "tenho" breaks the obligation construction.
↔Alternatives
Preciso avançar com isso.
I need to move this ahead.
Tenho que prosseguir com isso.
I have to continue with this.
Devo dar seguimento a isso.
I should give this a follow‑up.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "levar adiante" is a common business idiom that sounds professional yet natural. It is preferred over literal translations like "levar para frente" when talking about projects, ideas, or initiatives. Using it signals that you are taking ownership and are proactive, which is valued in most workplace cultures.