Breakdown of Eles devem ter comprado o para-choques na sucata.
eles
they (m)
ter
to have
em
in / on / at
comprar
to buy
Questions & Answers about Eles devem ter comprado o para-choques na sucata.
Why do we use devem ter comprado here instead of a normal past tense like compraram?
Using the present tense modal verb devem followed by the perfect infinitive ter comprado expresses a strong deduction about a past event. If we just said Eles compraram, it would be a stated fact (They bought), but Eles devem ter comprado means we are deducing it happened based on evidence (They must have bought).
Could devem ter comprado also mean 'they should have bought'?
No. To express an unfulfilled past obligation like 'they should have bought', you would use the conditional or imperfect form of the modal verb, such as deveriam ter comprado or deviam ter comprado. Using the present tense devem strictly implies a present deduction about the past (they must have bought).
Why does the singular article o pair with what looks like a plural noun in o para-choques?
Para-choques is a compound word formed from the verb parar (to stop) and the plural noun choques (impacts). Compound words made of a verb plus a plural noun are invariable, meaning their spelling is exactly the same whether they are singular or plural. The article tells us the quantity: o para-choques (the bumper) versus os para-choques (the bumpers).
Does sucata refer to the scrap metal itself or the place where it is sold?