Questions & Answers about Ele delega o que tiver a resolver.
Why do we use a resolver here?
In Portuguese, the preposition a followed by an infinitive (like a resolver) is often used to describe a noun or pronoun that needs an action done to it. Here, it modifies the phrase o que tiver (whatever he has). It acts like 'to be resolved' or 'to resolve'. It is the standard, natural way to express 'something to do', just like you would say coisas a fazer for 'things to do'.
Why is the verb ter in the form tiver (future subjunctive) instead of tem (present indicative)?
We use the future subjunctive (tiver) because o que refers to an unknown, hypothetical, or future thing here. He delegates whatever tasks might come up. If you used the present tense (o que tem), it would mean a specific, known fact: 'He delegates the specific thing he currently has to resolve.'
Does ter a mean the same thing as ter de (to have to) in this sentence?
They are similar but have a subtle difference. Ter de means strict obligation (must). Here, ter a means possessing something that requires an action (having something to do). In this sentence, tiver a resolver focuses on the existence of the tasks (whatever he has to resolve) rather than just the raw obligation to do them.
Why does o que translate to 'whatever' instead of just 'what'?