diferenciam

Diferenciam is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Portuguese verb diferenciar, meaning they differentiate or they distinguish. It is used when the subject is a plural noun or pronoun referring to multiple agents who identify differences between two or more things.

Grammatical notes: In standard Portuguese, diferenciar is a regular -ar verb. The form diferenciam corresponds to the present indicative used with sujetos like eles, elas, or vocês in common Brazilian usage, and with eles/elas in many varieties of European Portuguese. The form should not be confused with the subjunctive or past tense forms, which have different endings (for example, diferenciem in the present subjunctive).

Etymology and related forms: The verb diferenciar derives from the noun diferença (difference) and is ultimately linked to Latin differre (to carry apart) and differentia (difference). Related nouns include diferencia and diferencial, while related verbs include distinguir, separar, and classificar, all conveying aspects of recognizing or establishing distinctions.

Usage and nuance: Diferenciar emphasizes recognizing distinct features, categories, or meanings that set one thing apart from another. It is widely used in scientific discourse to distinguish species or phenomena, in education to teach contrasts, in law and policy to differentiate between offenses or categories, and in everyday speech to compare options or choices.

See also: Diferencia (difference), Diferenciar (to differentiate), Distinguir (to distinguish).