substituem

Substituem is a Portuguese verb form that belongs to the verb substituir, meaning to substitute or replace. It is the third-person plural present indicative, used when the subject of the sentence is a plural noun or pronoun.

Etymology and meaning. The word derives from Latin substituere, formed by sub- (under) and statuere (to place or set). In Portuguese, substituir acquired the sense of placing one thing in the position of another, i.e., replacing it, and substituem reflects that action in the present tense for multiple subjects.

Conjugation and usage notes. The full present indicative forms of substituir are: eu substituo, tu substituis, ele/ela/você substitui, nós substituímos, vós substituís, eles/elas substituem. Substituem is therefore used with plural subjects such as eles, elas, or os times, grupos or trabalhadores. The verb can express temporary or permanent replacement depending on context, and it is common in everyday speech, sports, industry, education, and technical fields.

Examples. Os técnicos substituem as peças defeituosas por novas. Os alunos substituem o material impresso por recursos digitais. Em matemática, às vezes substituem x por 2 na expressão para simplificar cálculos.

Related terms. Substituir is the infinitive; substituição is the noun form referring to the act of substitution. Synonyms include trocar, substituir por, e substituir por algo, depending on context. Latin roots and related Romance languages share the same origin for this verb.