Breakdown of Eles falam sobre o projeto secreto como se o inimigo estivesse aqui.
eles
they (m)
aqui
here
estar
to be (temporary / location)
falar
to speak
o projeto
the project
sobre
about, on (a topic)
como se
as if
secreto
secret
o inimigo
the enemy
Questions & Answers about Eles falam sobre o projeto secreto como se o inimigo estivesse aqui.
Why is estivesse used here instead of a normal past tense verb?
The phrase como se means "as if". In Portuguese, como se always introduces a hypothetical or unreal situation, so it must be followed by the imperfect subjunctive. It shows that what follows is contrary to fact because the enemy is not actually here.
The English translation says "were". Why does the Portuguese sentence use estivesse (from estar) instead of fosse (from ser)?
In English, the word "were" is used for both permanent states and temporary locations. In Portuguese, you still have to choose between ser and estar even in the subjunctive. Because aqui refers to a temporary location, you must use the imperfect subjunctive of estar, which is estivesse.
The main verb falam is in the present tense. Why does the second half of the sentence use a past-tense subjunctive?
The expression como se is a strict trigger for the imperfect (past) subjunctive, no matter what tense the main verb is in. Whether they talk (present) or talked (past) as if the enemy were here, you will always use the imperfect subjunctive right after como se.
Could I say falam do projeto secreto instead of falam sobre o projeto secreto?
Yes, you can! Both falar sobre (to talk about) and falar de (to talk of/about) are perfectly natural and mean the same thing in this context. Using do is simply the mandatory contraction of the preposition de and the article o.
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