Phrase · 📰 Journalistic style
Testemunhas afirmam ter ouvido pelo menos três disparos.
Witnesses say they heard at least three shots.
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Why every word is where it is
Testemunhas1nounwitnessestestemunha · fem. · pl.afirmam2verbsayafirmar · present · 3rd pl.ter2verbhavinginfinitiveouvido2verbheardouvir · participle · masc. · sing.pelo3prepositionatpor+o · masc. · sing. · definitemenos3adverbleasttrêsdeterminerthreedisparosnounshotsdisparo · masc. · pl..
- Testemunhas → afirmam: subject–verb
- afirmam → ter: afirmar + infinitive
- pelo → menos: pelo menos
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1No article: Testemunhas afirmam = (some) witnesses say; testemunha is feminine even for a man.
- 2afirmar ter ouvido = say they heard: compound infinitive, same subject, no que. Reduced clauses I: gerund & infinitive clauses →
- 3pelo menos = at least.