Antigamente, eu procurava o meu casaco todos os dias, porque eu era muito distraído.

In the past, I used to look for my coat every day, because I was very distracted.

Breakdown of Antigamente, eu procurava o meu casaco todos os dias, porque eu era muito distraído.

• eu: I
• ser: to be
• o dia: the day
• meu: my
• porque: because
• muito: very
• antigamente: in the past
• procurar: to look for
• o casaco: the coat
• todo: every
• distraído: distracted

Questions & Answers about Antigamente, eu procurava o meu casaco todos os dias, porque eu era muito distraído.

What does the adverb antigamente mean in this sentence?

Antigamente translates to “in the past” or “formerly.” It sets the timeframe for the action, indicating that the habit described belonged to an earlier period and may no longer happen in the present.

Why is the verb procurava in the imperfect tense used instead of a simple past tense like procurei?

The imperfect tense form procurava is used to describe habitual or repeated actions in the past. It conveys that looking for the jacket was something that happened regularly rather than being a one-time event. This use contrasts with the simple past (preterite), which would indicate a completed, specific action.

What is the nuance of the adjective distraído in this context? Does it only mean “distracted”?

While distraído is often translated as “distracted,” in this context it also implies being habitually absent-minded or forgetful. It explains why the speaker regularly lost his jacket, as he was not paying enough attention.

Why do we see the possessive phrase o meu casaco instead of just casaco? Is the article o necessary?

In Portuguese, it is common to pair the definite article with possessive adjectives. O meu casaco translates to “my jacket.” The article o is necessary in this construction and is a standard part of expressing possession in Portuguese, even though English does not require an article with possessive adjectives.

What is the function of the comma after antigamente in the sentence?

The comma after antigamente separates the introductory adverbial phrase from the main clause. This punctuation helps signal a pause for clarity, indicating that the timeframe is being set before the main action is described.