Interferem

Interferem is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Portuguese verb interferir, meaning that they interfere. It is used to describe actions by multiple subjects that affect, alter, or hinder something. The term can be applied in everyday language, in institutional contexts, or in scientific discussions when several agents cause changes to a result or process.

Etymology and grammar: interferir comes from Latin interferre, literally “to bring between.” In Portuguese, interferir is a regular -ir verb with the present indicative forms: eu interfiro, tu interferes, ele/ela interfere, nós interferimos, vós interferís, eles/elas interferem. Therefore, interferem corresponds to the subject pronoun eles/elas.

Usage and examples: Interferem is commonly used to describe external influences on outcomes, such as "As autoridades interferem nos procedimentos" or "Eles interferem no andamento do experimento." In scientific and technical contexts, it can describe waves or signals that interact, e.g., "As ondas interferem entre si, criando padrões de interferência." The term is often followed by the preposition em (interferem em) when naming the object of influence.

Related terms: The noun interferência denotes the action or effect of interfering. Interferir also has implications in social and political contexts, where actions by individuals or institutions may alter processes or results. While interferem emphasizes the plural agent, the core concept remains the act of introducing interruption, modification, or influence.