Breakdown of Se calhar o homem estava distraído e não leu a descrição.
e
and
não
not / no
o homem
the man
estar
to be (temporary / location)
ler
to read
se calhar
maybe, perhaps
distraído
distracted
a descrição
the description
Questions & Answers about Se calhar o homem estava distraído e não leu a descrição.
Why do we use the indicative verbs estava and leu after se calhar?
Even though se calhar expresses doubt or probability ('maybe'), it is a special expression that always takes the normal indicative mood. If you used another word for 'maybe' like talvez, you would have to use the subjunctive mood instead.
Why does this sentence mix the imperfect tense (estava) with the simple past (leu)?
This is a classic combination of past tenses. We use the imperfect estava because being distracted is an ongoing background state. We use the simple past (pretérito perfeito) leu because failing to read the description is treated as a single, completed event in that moment.
Since calhar is a verb, do I need to conjugate it if the subject changes?
No, se calhar is a fixed phrase. Even if you were talking about multiple people or yourself, the expression stays exactly the same.
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