B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 9

The Laws of Attraction: Pronoun Placement

4 Total Rules
43 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of pronoun placement to speak Portuguese with the fluidity and precision of a native.

  • Identify 'magnetic' words that force pronouns before the verb.
  • Distinguish between enclisis and proclisis when using infinitives.
  • Apply the formal mesoclisis structure for future and conditional tenses.
Unlock the magnetic flow of Portuguese syntax.

What You'll Learn

Welcome, B2 learner! Ready to polish your Portuguese and sound truly native? This chapter is your ticket! We're diving deep into one of the most elegant and crucial aspects of Portuguese grammar: pronoun placement. It's time to master when to pull your pronouns *before* the verb (that's Proclisis, our 'magnet effect') and when to create a formal 'sandwich' (Mesoclisis)! You'll discover how 'magnetic' words like 'não,' 'que,' and 'quando,' along with adverbs, relative pronouns, and conjunctions, powerfully draw object pronouns to the front of the verb. You'll confidently say things like

Eu *não a* disse
(I didn't tell her) without a second thought. We'll even tackle how indefinite pronouns like 'alguém' or 'tudo' act as magnets, ensuring your speech flows perfectly. Plus, you'll learn the trick to attaching pronouns to infinitives, transforming 'fazer' into 'fazê-lo' and sounding incredibly natural. Then, get ready for the famous 'pronoun sandwich' – Mesoclisis! This fascinating rule splits future and conditional verbs to neatly tuck a pronoun in the middle, primarily for formal writing. Imagine saying
I will tell you
as *Dir-te-ei*. You'll understand exactly when and where to use this sophisticated structure, elevating your formal communication. By the end of this chapter, you'll eliminate all doubt about pronoun placement. Whether you're chatting with friends, drafting a professional email, or reading complex literature, you'll know exactly where to put your pronouns, making your Portuguese both perfectly correct and effortlessly natural. Excited to master these laws of attraction?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Correctly position object pronouns in sentences containing negative particles and adverbs.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, B2 learner! Ready to polish your Portuguese and sound truly native? This chapter is your ticket! We're diving deep into one of the most elegant and crucial aspects of Portuguese grammar: pronoun placement. This isn't just about correctness; it's about achieving fluency and sounding authentic, whether you're speaking or writing. Mastering where to place object pronouns is a hallmark of advanced B2 Portuguese speakers, allowing your communication to flow naturally and gracefully.
In this guide, we'll unravel the "Laws of Attraction" that govern how pronouns interact with verbs. You'll discover the powerful "magnet effect" of Proclisis, where certain words pull pronouns *before* the verb. Imagine confidently saying "Eu não a disse" (I didn't tell her) without a second thought. We'll also explore the sophisticated "pronoun sandwich" of Mesoclisis, primarily for formal contexts, where pronouns neatly tuck *inside* future and conditional verbs. By the end, you'll eliminate all doubt about pronoun placement, making your Portuguese grammar both perfectly correct and effortlessly natural.

How This Grammar Works

Portuguese object pronouns (*me, te, se, o, a, os, as, lhe, lhes, nos, vos*) don't just float around; they have specific places to be! This chapter focuses on two main placements: before the verb (Proclisis) and inside the verb (Mesoclisis), as well as their interaction with infinitives.
Proclisis: The Magnetic Pronouns
This is the most common placement in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and frequently used in European Portuguese. Proclisis occurs when a "magnet word" precedes the verb, drawing the pronoun to itself. These "magnets" include:
* Negative words: *não*, *nunca*, *jamais*. Example: Eu não o vi. (I didn't see him.)
* Interrogative words: *quem*, *onde*, *quando*, *como*. Example: Quando te ligaram? (When did they call you?)
* Relative pronouns: *que*, *quem*, *onde*, *cujo*. Example: A pessoa que me ajudou é simpática. (The person who helped me is nice.)
* Conjunctions: *que*, *se*, *embora*, *como*. Example: Espero que o faças. (I hope you do it.)
* Indefinite pronouns: *alguém*, *ninguém*, *tudo*, *nada*, *pouco*, *muito*. Example: Alguém me disse isso. (Someone told me that.)
* Adverbs (general): *já*, *sempre*, *aqui*, *lá*, *bem*, *mal*. Example: Ele sempre nos visita. (He always visits us.)
Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After?
When you have an infinitive, the placement depends on whether there's a magnet:
* If a magnet precedes the main verb (or the infinitive directly), the pronoun goes *before* the infinitive: Eu não quero te ver. (I don't want to see you.)
* If there's no magnet, the pronoun attaches to the *end* of the infinitive. Remember to drop the final -r, -s, or -z of the infinitive and add an accent if needed: É preciso fazê-lo. (It's necessary to do it.) *Fazer* becomes *fazê-lo*.
Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich
This elegant structure places the object pronoun *inside* future simple and conditional simple verbs. It's primarily used in formal writing and in European Portuguese, less so in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. The pronoun splits the verb stem from its ending.
* Future Simple: *Fazer + o + -ei* becomes Fá-lo-ei. (I will do it.)
* Conditional Simple: *Dizer + te + -ia* becomes Dir-te-ia. (I would tell you.)
This Portuguese Mesoclisis creates a sophisticated, formal tone.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Eu vi-o ontem.
✓ Correct: Eu o vi ontem. (Or: Eu o vi ontem. - in Brazil this is very common)
*Explanation:* When a sentence starts with a subject pronoun (like "Eu"), proclisis is often preferred, especially in Brazilian Portuguese. In European Portuguese, enclisis (pronoun after verb) is common at the start of a sentence, but "Eu vi-o" is still often avoided if a magnet can pull it forward. The most natural and universally accepted is placing it before the verb if there's a magnet, or in this case, simply preferring proclisis.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Ele não disse-me.
✓ Correct: Ele não me disse.
*Explanation:* The negative word "não" is a powerful magnet that *always* pulls the pronoun before the verb. Forgetting this is a very common error.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Eu vou te fazer um favor. (While common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, it's grammatically less formal)
✓ Correct: Eu vou fazer-te um favor. (European Portuguese / more formal) OR Eu te vou fazer um favor. (Brazilian Portuguese / proclisis with auxiliary)
*Explanation:* With compound verbs (auxiliary + infinitive), the pronoun can either attach to the infinitive (more common in European Portuguese) or be pulled before the auxiliary verb if there's a magnet (more common in Brazilian Portuguese). The initial "wrong" example is often heard but formally less preferred in some contexts.

Real Conversations

A

A

Olá, como vais? Eu não te vejo há muito tempo! (Hello, how are you? I haven't seen you for a long time!)
B

B

Olá! Pois é, andei ocupado. Mas que bom te encontrar aqui! (Hello! That's right, I've been busy. But it's great to find you here!)
A

A

A Maria disse que me emprestaria o livro. (Maria said that she would lend me the book.)
B

B

Ah, espero que o faça em breve. Preciso muito dele. (Oh, I hope she does it soon. I really need it.)
A

A

Para aprender bem, é preciso dedicar-se. (To learn well, it's necessary to dedicate oneself.)
B

B

Sim, e também divertir-se no processo. (Yes, and also to have fun in the process.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Is Mesoclisis ever used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese?

Rarely. While grammatically correct, it sounds very formal and archaic in everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It's almost exclusively found in formal writing, legal documents, or very elevated speech.

Q

What if there are two verbs, like "poder fazer"? Where does the pronoun go?

With auxiliary verbs, the pronoun can often attach to the infinitive (e.g., "Eu posso fazê-lo" - I can do it) or be placed before the auxiliary if there's a magnet (e.g., "Eu não o posso fazer" - I cannot do it). In Brazilian Portuguese, placing it before the auxiliary is very common even without a strong magnet: "Eu o posso fazer."

Q

Do all adverbs cause Proclisis?

Most adverbs, especially those indicating time, place, or manner, act as magnets. However, the strength of this pull can vary, and in very informal Brazilian Portuguese, enclisis (pronoun after verb) might be heard even with some adverbs if no other strong magnet is present. When in doubt, proclisis with an adverb is generally safe.

Cultural Context

The "Laws of Attraction" for pronouns reveal interesting cultural nuances. While Proclisis is a strong preference in both Brazilian and European Portuguese, its strictness varies. In Brazil, proclisis is overwhelmingly dominant, even at the beginning of a sentence where European Portuguese would typically use enclisis (e.g., Brazilian "Eu o vi" vs. European "Vi-o"). Mesoclisis, the "pronoun sandwich," is a hallmark of formal, literary, or governmental language, particularly in Portugal. In Brazil, it's almost entirely absent from spoken language and is considered highly formal even in writing. Understanding these subtle differences is key to sounding truly native, allowing you to adapt your B2 Portuguese to the specific context and audience.

Key Examples (8)

1

Eu nunca me esqueço da minha senha.

I never forget my password.

Portuguese Pronoun Magnets (Próclise)
2

A pessoa que me atendeu foi muito grossa.

The person who helped me was very rude.

Portuguese Pronoun Magnets (Próclise)
3

Eu preciso encontrá-lo agora mesmo.

I need to find him right now.

Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)
4

Ela veio aqui para te ver.

She came here to see you.

Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)
5

Dir-te-ei tudo o que precisas de saber na reunião.

I will tell you everything you need to know at the meeting.

Portuguese Pronouns Inside Verbs: The 'Sandwich' Rule (Mesóclise)
6

Ajudar-nos-iam se tivessem mais tempo disponível.

They would help us if they had more time available.

Portuguese Pronouns Inside Verbs: The 'Sandwich' Rule (Mesóclise)
7

Ajudar-te-ei com a lição de casa amanhã.

I will help you with the homework tomorrow.

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)
8

Dir-lhe-ia a verdade se ele perguntasse.

I would tell him the truth if he asked.

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The Magnet Rule

Always look for the 'magnet' word before the verb.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronoun Magnets (Próclise)
💡

The 'R' Rule

Always drop the final 'r' before adding 'l' pronouns.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)
⚠️

Avoid in Brazil

Do not use this in Brazil unless you want to sound like a historical character.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronouns Inside Verbs: The 'Sandwich' Rule (Mesóclise)
💡

Check for Attractors

Always scan for 'não', 'que', or adverbs before using mesóclise.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Key Vocabulary (5)

Próclise Proclisis (before verb) Ênclise Enclisis (after verb) Mesóclise Mesoclisis (middle of verb) Atração Attraction Infinitivo Infinitive

Real-World Preview

mail

Professional Email

Review Summary

  • Magnet + Pronoun + Verb
  • Verb-root + Pronoun + Verb-ending

Common Mistakes

The 'não' is a powerful magnet that forces the pronoun before the verb.

Wrong: Eu não vi-o.
Correct: Eu não o vi.

In formal contexts, the pronoun must be tucked inside the future verb.

Wrong: Enviarei-lhe.
Correct: Enviar-lhe-ei.

Pronouns should be attached to the infinitive in this construction.

Wrong: Vou o fazer.
Correct: Vou fazê-lo.

Next Steps

You've tackled a challenging topic with grace! Keep practicing these structures in your writing to make them second nature.

Read a formal newspaper editorial and highlight all instances of mesoclisis.

Continue to: Connecting Ideas with Relative Clauses

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the correct mesóclise form.

Eu ___ (dar + te + ei) o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dar-te-ei
Correct internal placement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Não dar-te-ei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não te darei
Negative attractor.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

O que dizes-me?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O que me dizes?
'que' pulls 'me'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronoun Magnets (Próclise)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sempre me ajuda.
Adverb 'sempre' pulls 'me'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronoun Magnets (Próclise)

Fill in the blank with the correct mesóclise form.

Eu ___ (entregar + lhe + ei) o documento.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Correct structure is infinitive + pronoun + suffix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronouns Inside Verbs: The 'Sandwich' Rule (Mesóclise)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Não fazê-lo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não o fazer
Negative triggers proclisis.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)

Select the correct form.

Qual é a forma correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Far-lo-ei
Phonetic rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Identify the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Não dar-lhe-ei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: c
Negative particles force proclisis.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Pronouns Inside Verbs: The 'Sandwich' Rule (Mesóclise)

Choose the best form.

Vou ___ (ajudar + a).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ajudá-la
Correct enclisis.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)

Fill in the blank.

Eu quero ___ (fazer + o).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fazê-lo
Correct enclisis form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronouns with Infinitives: Before or After? (fazê-lo vs te fazer)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It is attracted to specific words like negatives and adverbs.
Yes, Brazil uses proclisis much more often.
It's a phonetic rule to make the transition to the pronoun smoother.
No, it's very common in Brazil.
Technically yes, but it will sound extremely formal or archaic. It is not used in daily conversation.
Because the pronoun is 'sandwiched' between the verb stem and the ending.
Previous Chapter
Mastering Object Pronoun Forms
Next Chapter
Connecting Ideas with Relative Clauses
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