Breakdown of O avô tinha pedido que nenhum parente dividisse o património.
ter
to have
dividir
to share / to divide
que
that (conjunction)
o avô
the grandfather
pedir
to ask for
nenhum
no / none / not any (quantity)
o parente
the relative
o património
the estate
Questions & Answers about O avô tinha pedido que nenhum parente dividisse o património.
Why do we use the imperfect subjunctive dividisse instead of the present subjunctive here?
The verb pedir (to ask) is a verb of influence, which triggers the subjunctive. In this sentence, the main verb phrase tinha pedido (had asked) is in the past. According to the rules of sequence of tenses, when the main triggering verb is in a past tense, the subjunctive verb in the que clause must shift to the imperfect subjunctive (dividisse).
What tense is tinha pedido?
It is the past perfect (specifically, the compound past perfect). You form it with the imperfect tense of the auxiliary verb ter (tinha) and the past participle of the main verb (pedido). It translates directly to the English "had asked", describing a past action that happened before another past event.
Does parente mean "parent"?
No, parente is a classic "false friend" for English speakers. It actually means "relative" or "extended family member". If you want to say "parents" in Portuguese, you use the word pais.
Do I need to use the word não with nenhum in this sentence?
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