forçavam

Forçavam is a Portuguese verb form, specifically the third-person plural imperfect indicative of the verb "forçar". The verb "forçar" translates to "to force", "to compel", "to strain", or "to break" in English. Therefore, "forçavam" describes an action of forcing or compelling that was ongoing or habitual in the past.

The imperfect tense in Portuguese, as in many other Romance languages, is used to describe past actions that were not completed or that happened repeatedly. It can also be used to describe states or conditions in the past, or to set the scene for a narrative.

For example, "Eles forçavam a porta para abri-la" translates to "They were forcing the door to open it," indicating a continuous effort in the past. Another example, "Os pais forçavam os filhos a estudar" means "The parents used to force their children to study," highlighting a habitual action in the past. The context in which "forçavam" appears will determine the precise meaning and nuance. It is a common verb conjugation found in literature, historical accounts, and everyday conversation when referring to past coercive or strenuous actions performed by multiple subjects.