Breakdown of Ela teve de sussurrar a resposta, porque a biblioteca estava em silêncio absoluto.
ela
she
estar
to be
porque
because
em
in
o silêncio
the silence
ter de
to have to
a resposta
the answer
sussurrar
to whisper
a biblioteca
the library
absoluto
absolute
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Questions & Answers about Ela teve de sussurrar a resposta, porque a biblioteca estava em silêncio absoluto.
What does "teve de" mean and how is it used in this sentence?
"Teve de" translates to "had to". It indicates an obligation in the past. In this construction, "ter" is used with "de" followed by an infinitive (sussurrar) to show that she was required to perform the action.
Why is "sussurrar" in its infinitive form instead of a conjugated form?
In Portuguese, when expressing necessity with a modal construction like "ter de", the main verb is always in the infinitive form. This is similar to how we say "had to whisper" in English, where "whisper" remains unaltered.
What is the function of the comma before "porque" in this sentence?
The comma separates the main clause ("Ela teve de sussurrar a resposta") from the subordinate clause ("porque a biblioteca estava em silêncio absoluto"), which explains the reason for the action. It clarifies that the whispering was due to the silence in the library.
How is "porque" functioning in this sentence?
"Porque" acts as a subordinating conjunction that introduces the cause or reason for the action. It’s equivalent to "because" in English, connecting the two clauses by explaining why she had to whisper.
What does "silêncio absoluto" convey in this context?
"Silêncio absoluto" means "absolute silence". It emphasizes that the library was extremely quiet, which explains why even a small sound, like a normal speaking voice, would have been disruptive.
Are there differences in expressing obligation with "teve de" in European Portuguese compared to Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes. While European Portuguese commonly uses "teve de" to express a past obligation, in Brazilian Portuguese it is more common to use "teve que". Both constructions mean "had to", but the choice depends on the regional variety of Portuguese.