Portuguese Phrase
Devem estar no escritório.
Meaning
This phrase expresses a strong logical assumption or probability regarding the location of a group of people. It utilizes the modal verb 'dever' to suggest that based on the evidence or schedule, the most likely place for them to be is the office.
When to use
Use this phrase when answering a question about someone's whereabouts in a professional or formal context. It is perfect for situations where you aren't 100% certain but have a high degree of confidence in your guess.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Devemestarnoescritório
Devem (Dever)
The third-person plural of 'dever', used here to express probability rather than obligation.
No
A mandatory contraction of the preposition 'em' (in) and the masculine article 'o' (the).
🗨In Conversation
Sabe onde estão os gerentes?
Do you know where the managers are?
Devem estar no escritório.
They must be in the office.
✕Common Mistakes
Eles devem ser no escritório.
In Portuguese, 'estar' is used for locations, while 'ser' is used for permanent traits or identities.
Devem estar em o escritório.
The preposition 'em' and the definite article 'o' must contract to form 'no'.
↔Alternatives
Eles provavelmente estão no escritório.
They are probably in the office.
Devem de estar no escritório.
They ought to be in the office (common in European Portuguese to express probability).
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese business culture, omitting the subject pronoun 'Eles' (They) is very common because the verb conjugation 'Devem' already clarifies who is being discussed. This makes the speech sound more natural and fluid to native ears.