Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Não acho que os rapazes já estejam a festejar, embora estejam eufóricos. - I don't think the guys are partying yet, even though they are euphoric.

Não acho que os rapazes já estejam a festejar, embora estejam eufóricos.

I don't think the guys are partying yet, even though they are euphoric.

Breakdown of Não acho que os rapazes já estejam a festejar, embora estejam eufóricos.

to be (temporary / location)

to / at (direction)

Questions & Answers about Não acho que os rapazes já estejam a festejar, embora estejam eufóricos.

Why do we use estejam a festejar instead of just festejem?

The structure estar (conjugated in the subjunctive) + a + infinitive is the Continuous Subjunctive. It is used here to emphasize an ongoing action happening right in this moment (are partying), rather than a general or habitual action (party).

Why does Não acho que trigger the subjunctive for the first verb?

Phrases expressing negative opinions or doubt, like Não acho que (I don't think that), introduce uncertainty and therefore require the subjunctive mood. If the sentence were affirmative, you would use the indicative mood: Acho que os rapazes já estão a festejar.

Why is the adverb já placed before the verb phrase instead of after it?

In subordinate clauses introduced by que (that), adverbs like já (already/yet) and negative words act as magnets. They pull the pronoun or adverb to the position immediately before the conjugated verb (estejam).

If it is a confirmed fact that they are euphoric, why is the second verb (embora estejam eufóricos) also in the subjunctive?

The conjunction embora (even though / although) is a strict trigger that always forces the following verb into the subjunctive mood. This rule applies even when you are conceding a known, undeniable fact.