Question 1

Why do we skip the word se (if) at the beginning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Dropping se and starting directly with Não fossem is an elegant, slightly formal way to state a hypothetical condition. It translates perfectly to the English inversion 'Were it not for...' instead of 'If it were not for...'.

Question 2

Why is the verb plural (fossem) when the main subject of the sentence (o desastre) is singular?

Accepted Answer

The verb fossem belongs to the first clause and must agree with its own subject, which is the plural noun phrase os teus reflexos (your reflexes). The singular noun o desastre is only the subject of the second clause (teria acontecido).

Question 3

What tense is fossem and why do we need it here?

Accepted Answer

It is the imperfect subjunctive (imperfeito do conjuntivo). This tense is required because the clause describes an unreal or contrary-to-fact situation. In reality, you did have good reflexes, so we must use the subjunctive to imagine the opposite scenario.

Question 4

Could I say tinha acontecido instead of teria acontecido in the second half?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in everyday spoken Portuguese, it is very common to replace the conditional perfect (teria acontecido) with the pluperfect indicative (tinha acontecido) to mean 'would have happened'. However, because the Não fossem... structure is slightly elevated, the conditional perfect used here is the best stylistic match.

Não fossem os teus reflexos, o desastre teria acontecido.

Breakdown of Não fossem os teus reflexos, o desastre teria acontecido.

Questions & Answers about Não fossem os teus reflexos, o desastre teria acontecido.

Learn Não fossem os teus reflexos, o desastre teria acontecido and more in Portuguese