Breakdown of O crocodilo morde com mais força do que a foca consegue aguentar.
com
with
mais
more
do que
than
conseguir
to manage / to get / obtain
morder
to bite
a força
the strength (also: come on!)
aguentar
to stand, to endure
o crocodilo
the crocodile
a foca
the seal
Questions & Answers about O crocodilo morde com mais força do que a foca consegue aguentar.
Why do we use the full do que here instead of just que?
Because the second half of the comparison is a full dependent clause with its own conjugated verb (consegue aguentar). In simple comparisons between two nouns or pronouns, you can often drop the do and just use que. However, when introducing a clausal comparative like this one, you must use the complete phrase do que.
Why use consegue for "can" instead of pode?
Conseguir emphasizes physical ability, overcoming a difficulty, or managing to do something successfully. Poder is typically used for permission or general possibility. Since surviving a crocodile bite is a matter of pure physical capacity and endurance, consegue is the natural choice.
Why use the phrase com mais força instead of just saying it bites harder (mais forte)?
While you could absolutely say morde mais forte (using forte as an adverb), Portuguese frequently uses the preposition com plus a noun to describe how an action is performed. Com força is a very common way to say "forcefully" or "hard," so making it comparative simply becomes com mais força (with more force).
Does a dependent clause after do que ever require the subjunctive mood?
It can, but not here! We use the indicative mood (consegue) in this sentence because we are stating a factual, objective limit to the seal's endurance. You would only use the subjunctive in a clausal comparative if the comparison involved something strictly hypothetical or unreal, such as "more force than any seal could ever withstand" (do que qualquer foca conseguisse aguentar).
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