Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Mesmo que a manifestação seja pacífica, a polícia prende os manifestantes. - Even if the demonstration is peaceful, the police arrest the protesters.

Mesmo que a manifestação seja pacífica, a polícia prende os manifestantes.

Even if the demonstration is peaceful, the police arrest the protesters.

Breakdown of Mesmo que a manifestação seja pacífica, a polícia prende os manifestantes.

Questions & Answers about Mesmo que a manifestação seja pacífica, a polícia prende os manifestantes.

Why do we use seja instead of é in this sentence?

The phrase mesmo que (even if) introduces a hypothetical situation. Whenever we use mesmo que to talk about a scenario that is hypothetical, uncertain, or in the future, it triggers the subjunctive mood. Here, seja is the present subjunctive of ser (to be).

In English we say 'the police arrest' with a plural verb. Why is the verb prende singular here?

In Portuguese, a polícia is a singular feminine noun, even though it refers to a group of people. Because the noun is grammatically singular, the verb must also be in the third-person singular form (prende).

Could I use a different phrase instead of mesmo que here?

Yes, you can use ainda que. It is a direct synonym of mesmo que in this context and follows the exact same rule of requiring the subjunctive verb seja.

Does the verb prender only mean 'to arrest'?

In the context of law enforcement, it means 'to arrest' or 'to detain'. However, its broader meaning is 'to attach', 'to fasten', or 'to tie'. For example, you would also use prender when talking about tying your hair back or attaching a document.