B2 Pronouns 19 min read Hard

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)

Mesoclisis is a formal 'pronoun sandwich' used only in Future and Conditional tenses when no 'magnet' words precede.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Mesóclise happens when you insert a pronoun into the middle of a future tense verb.

  • Use it only with the Future of the Present (Futuro do Presente) or Future of the Preterite (Futuro do Pretérito).
  • The verb must be at the beginning of the sentence (no preceding words that attract enclisis).
  • If there is a word that attracts the pronoun (like 'não'), you must use proclisis instead.
Verb_Root + Pronoun + Verb_Ending

Overview

Mesoclisis, often termed the ‘pronoun sandwich’, is a distinctive feature of Portuguese grammar where unstressed object pronouns are inserted within the verb form. This sophisticated construction primarily occurs with verbs in the Future Simple (Futuro do Presente) and Conditional Simple (Futuro do Pretérito) tenses. It is a hallmark of formal and prescriptive Portuguese, reflecting historical linguistic developments and specific phonotactic constraints that govern pronoun placement.

Understanding mesoclisis is crucial for any B2 learner aiming for comprehensive proficiency, particularly when engaging with formal written Portuguese or European Portuguese.

While present in both European Portuguese (EP) and Brazilian Portuguese (BP), its practical application and frequency of use differ significantly. In EP, mesoclisis is a standard feature of formal written and often formal spoken language. In BP, its usage is predominantly confined to very formal written contexts, such as legal documents, academic papers, and classical literature, and is rarely heard in contemporary spoken Brazilian Portuguese, even in formal settings.

Mastering mesoclisis demonstrates a deep understanding of the language's structure and stylistic nuances.

How This Grammar Works

Mesoclisis arises from a fascinating interplay of historical linguistics, phonology, and prescriptive rules governing pronoun placement in Portuguese. Unlike proclisis (pronoun before the verb) or enclisis (pronoun after the verb), mesoclisis is a unique solution to specific grammatical dilemmas, particularly in the future and conditional tenses.
At its core, mesoclisis functions to resolve a conflict between two fundamental Portuguese pronoun placement rules:
  • Avoidance of Initial Atonic Pronouns: Portuguese generally prohibits starting a sentence or clause with an unstressed object pronoun (me, te, o, a, lhe, nos, vos, os, as, lhes). If no other word precedes the verb to 'attract' the pronoun (triggering proclisis), a different placement strategy is required.
  • Incompatibility with Future/Conditional Endings: The future and conditional tenses in Portuguese are formed by adding specific endings (-ei, -ás, -á, etc. for Future Simple; -ia, -ias, -ia, etc. for Conditional Simple) directly to the infinitive form of the verb. Phonetically, these endings are generally incompatible with typical enclitic placement (pronoun appended to the end of the conjugated verb). Placing an atonic pronoun directly after these endings would often result in awkward sound combinations or ambiguity, and thus, enclisis is largely disallowed with these tenses when no preceding word necessitates proclisis.
Historically, the Portuguese Future Simple and Conditional Simple evolved from the infinitive form of the main verb combined with conjugated forms of haver (e.g., amar hei became amarei). When a pronoun was involved, it was naturally placed between the infinitive and the auxiliary verb: amar-te hei. Over time, amar-te hei coalesced into amar-te-ei, thus forming the mesoclisis structure.
The pronoun effectively occupies the space between the verb stem (the infinitive) and its tense ending.
Consider the verb fazer (to do/make) with the pronoun o (it):
  • Without a preceding 'attractor' word: You cannot say O farei (incorrect initial pronoun). You also cannot say Fará-o (enclisis generally not permitted with future tense). The solution is mesoclisis: Fá-lo-ei (I will do it).
Contrast this with situations where proclisis or enclisis would apply:
  • Proclisis: If an 'attractor' word like não (no/not) precedes, it pulls the pronoun forward: Não o farei (I will not do it). Here, mesoclisis (*Não fá-lo-ei) is incorrect.
  • Enclisis: For most other tenses (e.g., Present, Past), if there's no attractor word, the pronoun attaches after the verb: Faço-o (I do it) or Fiz-o (I did it). This is not possible for future/conditional without mesoclisis.
Therefore, mesoclisis is the specific mechanism Portuguese employs to place unstressed object pronouns correctly within Future Simple and Conditional Simple verbs when no other pronoun placement rule takes precedence, respecting both the aversion to initial atonic pronouns and the phonological characteristics of these specific verb tenses.

Formation Pattern

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Forming a verb with mesoclisis requires precision, following a consistent pattern that varies slightly based on the type of pronoun and the verb's ending. The fundamental structure is: Infinitive Verb Stem + Object Pronoun + Tense Ending.
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Let's break down the rules for construction:
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1. Identify the Verb's Infinitive Form:
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This is the base of your verb (e.g., falar - to speak, escrever - to write, partir - to leave).
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2. Identify the Object Pronoun:
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These are the unstressed direct (o, a, os, as) and indirect (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes) object pronouns.
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3. Determine the Tense Ending:
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Mesoclisis only occurs in the Future Simple and Conditional Simple tenses. The endings are:
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| Person | Future Simple (Future do Presente) | Conditional Simple (Future do Pretérito) |
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| :--------------- | :--------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
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| Eu (I) | -ei | -ia |
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| Tu (You, sg.) | -ás | -ias |
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| Ele/Ela/Você | -á | -ia |
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| Nós (We) | -emos | -íamos |
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| Vós (You, pl.) | -eis | -íeis |
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| Eles/Elas/Vocês | -ão | -iam |
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4. Insertion Rules for Pronouns:
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For me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes (Indirect Object Pronouns & Reflexive se):
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These pronouns are inserted directly between the infinitive and the tense ending. The infinitive form remains unchanged.
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Example 1 (Future Simple): (Eu) ajudar + te + ei → ajudar-te-ei (I will help you).
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Example 2 (Conditional Simple): (Nós) dizer + lhes + íamos → dizer-lhes-íamos (We would tell them).
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Example 3 (Reflexive se): (Ele) pentear + se + á → pentear-se-á (He will comb himself).
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For o, a, os, as (Direct Object Pronouns):
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These pronouns undergo phonetic changes when the infinitive verb ends in -r, -s, or -z. This is the most common and important case.
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Drop the final -r, -s, or -z from the infinitive verb.
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Add l to the beginning of the pronoun: o becomes lo, a becomes la, os becomes los, as becomes las.
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Add an acute accent (´) to the preceding vowel of the infinitive stem to preserve the original stress or mark an open vowel sound that results from the -r deletion.
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Example 1 (Future Simple): (Eu) amar + o + ei
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Drop -r: ama
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Add l to o: lo
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Add accent: amá
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Combine: amá-lo-ei (I will love it).
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Example 2 (Conditional Simple): (Tu) escrever + a + ias
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Drop -r: escreve
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Add l to a: la
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Add accent: escrevê
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Combine: escrevê-la-ias (You would write it).
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Example 3 (Future Simple): (Vocês) fazer + os + ão (irregular verb fazer becomes far-)
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Irregular stem: far
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Drop -r: fa
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Add l to os: los
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Add accent: fá
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Combine: fá-los-ão (You will do them/it).
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5. Irregular Verbs:
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Some common verbs have irregular stems in the Future and Conditional tenses, which affects mesoclisis. The irregular stem is used as the base before pronoun insertion and tense ending.
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| Infinitive | Irregular Stem |
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| :--------- | :------------- |
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| dizer | dir- |
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| fazer | far- |
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| trazer | trar- |
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| valer | valer- (usually regular) |
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Example: (Eu) dizer + lhe + ia → dir-lhe-ia (I would tell him/her).
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Example: (Nós) fazer + o + emos → fá-lo-emos (We will do it).
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6. Combining Pronouns:
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While more complex and less frequent, it is possible to combine two pronouns (e.g., indirect + direct object pronoun) in mesoclisis, typically when the indirect object is te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes and the direct object is o, a, os, as.
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Structure: Infinitive Stem + Dative Pronoun + Accusative Pronoun (transformed to lo/la/los/las) + Tense Ending.
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Example: (Eu) dar + te + o + ei → dar-to-ei (I will give it to you).
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Example: (Ele) mostrar + lhe + a + ia → mostrar-lha-ia (He would show it to her).
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This intricate process highlights why mesoclisis is considered a more advanced and formal grammatical construction. The careful application of these rules ensures grammatical correctness and preserves the intended formal tone.
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Table: Regular Verb comprar (to buy) with o (it) in Future Simple
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| Person | Infinitive + Pronoun + Ending | Mesoclisis Form |
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| :--------------- | :------------------------------ | :---------------------- |
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| Eu (I) | comprar + o + -ei | comprá-lo-ei |
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| Tu (You, sg.) | comprar + o + -ás | comprá-lo-ás |
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| Ele/Ela/Você | comprar + o + -á | comprá-lo-á |
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| Nós (We) | comprar + o + -emos | comprá-lo-emos |
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| Vós (You, pl.) | comprar + o + -eis | comprá-lo-eis |
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| Eles/Elas/Vocês | comprar + o + -ão | comprá-lo-ão |
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Table: Regular Verb vender (to sell) with lhe (to him/her) in Conditional Simple
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| Person | Infinitive + Pronoun + Ending | Mesoclisis Form |
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| :--------------- | :------------------------------ | :---------------------- |
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| Eu (I) | vender + lhe + -ia | vender-lhe-ia |
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| Tu (You, sg.) | vender + lhe + -ias | vender-lhe-ias |
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| Ele/Ela/Você | vender + lhe + -ia | vender-lhe-ia |
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| Nós (We) | vender + lhe + -íamos | vender-lhe-íamos |
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| Vós (You, pl.) | vender + lhe + -íeis | vender-lhe-íeis |
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| Eles/Elas/Vocês | vender + lhe + -iam | vender-lhe-iam |

When To Use It

Mesoclisis is a highly formal grammatical construction, indicating a deliberate choice of register rather than a casual necessity. Its usage is dictated primarily by the level of formality required in communication, with significant variation between European and Brazilian Portuguese.
Formal Written Contexts (Both EP & BP):
This is the primary domain of mesoclisis. You will encounter and, if aiming for a very high register, should employ mesoclisis in:
  • Legal Documents: Contracts, statutes, official decrees, and legal opinions frequently use mesoclisis to maintain precision and a traditional, authoritative tone. For example, A empresa comunicar-lhes-á a decisão formalmente. (The company will formally communicate the decision to them.)
  • Academic and Scientific Writing: Theses, dissertations, scholarly articles, and formal reports often feature mesoclisis, particularly in introductions, conclusions, or when making pronouncements about future research or implications. Analisar-se-ão os dados conforme o protocolo estabelecido. (The data will be analyzed according to the established protocol.)
  • Official Correspondence: Formal letters, official emails, and inter-departmental communications within government or large corporations may use mesoclisis. Encaminhar-vos-emos a documentação solicitada em breve. (We will forward you the requested documentation shortly.)
  • Classical Literature and Poetry: Older texts, particularly those from prior centuries, commonly feature mesoclisis as it was a more prevalent and expected grammatical form. Reading such works will frequently expose you to these constructions.
  • Journalism (Highly Formal): Editorials, opinion pieces, or very formal news analysis in prestigious newspapers can occasionally employ mesoclisis, especially in EP, to convey a sense of gravitas and adherence to prescriptive grammar.
Formal Spoken Contexts (Predominantly EP):
While less common than in writing, mesoclisis can be heard in highly formal spoken European Portuguese. This might include:
  • Formal Speeches and Presentations: Politicians, academics, or public figures delivering highly prepared speeches might use mesoclisis to elevate their register. Desejar-lhe-ei sucesso na sua jornada. (I will wish you success on your journey.)
  • Ceremonial Occasions: During religious ceremonies, official inaugurations, or other solemn events, mesoclisis can appear.
When NOT to Use It:
Knowing when to avoid mesoclisis is arguably more important for a B2 learner than knowing when to use it, especially in everyday communication.
  • Presence of 'Attractor' Words: This is the most critical rule. If a word that triggers proclisis (attractor word) precedes the verb, mesoclisis is strictly forbidden. The attractor word 'pulls' the pronoun to the front of the verb. Common attractor words include:
  • Negative words: não, nunca, jamais, ninguém, nada. (e.g., Não te ajudarei. - I will not help you. NOT *Não ajudar-te-ei.)
  • Adverbs: já, ainda, sempre, muito, pouco, aqui, lá, hoje, ontem, sempre. (e.g., Sempre o farei. - I will always do it. NOT *Sempre fá-lo-ei.)
  • Relative Pronouns: que, quem, onde, cujo. (e.g., O homem que me disse... - The man who told me... NOT *O homem que dizer-me-ia...)
  • Interrogative Pronouns/Adverbs: quem, que, quando, onde, como. (e.g., Quem te fará isso? - Who will do that to you? NOT *Quem fá-lo-á?)
  • Certain Conjunctions: se, quando, embora, para que. (e.g., Se te ajudar, ... - If I help you, ... NOT *Se ajudar-te-ei, ...)
  • Indefinite Pronouns: alguém, tudo, nada, outrem, muitos. (e.g., Alguém nos dirá. - Someone will tell us. NOT *Alguém dizer-nos-á.)
  • Casual or Informal Communication: Avoid mesoclisis in everyday conversations, text messages, informal emails, social media, or any context where a relaxed register is appropriate. Using it informally will sound exceedingly pretentious or archaic to native speakers, particularly in BP. In these situations, alternative constructions (like ir + infinitive, or simply proclisis/enclisis if the tense allows) are vastly preferred. Vou-te ajudar (EP) / Vou te ajudar (BP) or Eu te ajudarei (BP) are common informal alternatives to ajudar-te-ei.
  • Other Tenses: Mesoclisis is strictly limited to the Future Simple and Conditional Simple. Using it with other tenses is grammatically incorrect. You would not say *Fiz-o-ei (Past Simple).
In essence, consider mesoclisis a 'black-tie' grammatical event. You wear it for the most formal occasions, and never when a more casual alternative (proclisis) is grammatically mandated.

Common Mistakes

Mesoclisis, due to its prescriptive nature and formal register, is a frequent source of errors for learners. Even native speakers, especially in Brazil, may struggle with its correct application in written contexts. Avoiding these common pitfalls is vital for achieving accuracy and maintaining an appropriate tone.
1. Forgetting 'Attractor' Words (The Cardinal Sin):
This is by far the most prevalent error. Learners often apply mesoclisis mechanically without considering the surrounding words. If any proclitic attractor (negatives, adverbs, relative pronouns, etc.) precedes the verb, proclisis is mandatory, and mesoclisis becomes incorrect.
  • Incorrect: *Eu não fá-lo-ei. (The negative não should attract the pronoun.)
  • Correct (BP & EP): Eu não o farei.
  • Incorrect: *Sempre visitar-te-ei. (The adverb sempre should attract the pronoun.)
  • Correct (BP & EP): Sempre te visitarei.
2. Using Mesoclisis in the Wrong Tense:
Mesoclisis is only for the Future Simple and Conditional Simple. Applying it to other tenses results in ungrammatical constructions.
  • Incorrect (Present Tense): *Falo-o-ei. (Should be Falo-o or Eu o falo / Eu lhe falo in BP, Eu falo-lhe in EP).
  • Incorrect (Past Simple): *Disse-lhe-ei. (Should be Disse-lhe or Eu lhe disse in BP, Eu disse-lhe in EP).
3. Incorrect Transformation of o/a/os/as Pronouns:
Failing to drop the final -r, -s, -z from the infinitive and add the -l to the pronoun (along with the necessary accent) is a very common error.
  • Incorrect: *Ajudar-o-ei. (Missed the -l addition and accent.)
  • Correct: Ajudá-lo-ei. (I will help him/it.)
  • Incorrect: *Ver-a-íamos. (Missed the -l addition and accent. Note: ver becomes vere- as an irregular stem, and the final r is still dropped for the lo/la rule)
  • Correct: Vê-la-íamos. (We would see her/it.)
4. Neglecting Irregular Verb Stems:
Verbs like dizer, fazer, trazer have irregular stems (dir-, far-, trar-) in the future and conditional. Using the regular infinitive form with these verbs is an error.
  • Incorrect: *Fazer-me-ei. (Should use far- stem.)
  • Correct: Far-me-ei. (I will make myself/I will do it for myself.)
  • Incorrect: *Dizer-lhes-ia. (Should use dir- stem.)
  • Correct: Dir-lhes-ia. (I would tell them.)
5. Overuse or Misuse in Brazilian Portuguese:
Brazilian learners, in particular, may overuse mesoclisis in attempts to sound formal, leading to anachronistic or unnatural speech. Even in formal BP, a construction like Eu te ajudarei or Eu o farei is generally preferred to ajudar-te-ei or fá-lo-ei in spoken contexts, and often even in formal writing unless a very specific stylistic choice is being made.
  • Inappropriate in BP spoken: Ajudar-te-ei amanhã.
  • More natural BP spoken: Eu vou te ajudar amanhã. or Eu te ajudarei amanhã.
6. Redundancy with Direct Object Nouns:
Mesoclisis involves object pronouns. If the direct object is already explicitly stated as a noun, using an additional direct object pronoun in mesoclisis is redundant and incorrect. This often happens with the o/a/os/as pronouns.
  • Incorrect: *Entregar-lhes-ei os documentos. (The direct object os documentos is already present; lhes is fine for indirect, but os (referring to documentos) is redundant with mesoclisis here.)
  • Correct: Entregar-lhes-ei os documentos. (This is correct if lhes refers to the recipients, and os documentos is the direct object.)
  • Corrected, if the aim was to replace os documentos: Entregá-los-ei. (I will deliver them.)
The key to avoiding these mistakes lies in meticulous attention to the context, particularly the presence of attractor words, and a clear understanding of the specific rules for pronoun transformation and verb irregularity.

Real Conversations

The role of mesoclisis in “real conversations” is profoundly distinct between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. While it is a foundational element of prescriptive grammar, its practical application in spoken language, especially contemporary informal discourse, is largely absent or highly specific.

In European Portuguese (EP):

Mesoclisis, though formal, is still a part of the spoken repertoire, particularly in formal settings or by speakers with a more conservative grammatical style. You might encounter it in:

- Formal Public Speaking: Politicians, university professors, or broadcasters might use mesoclisis in prepared speeches, lectures, or news reports to uphold a high register. For example, a newscaster might say, Anunciar-se-ão novas medidas de austeridade. (New austerity measures will be announced.)

- Serious Discussions: In professional meetings, academic debates, or serious interviews, speakers might occasionally opt for mesoclisis, although simpler structures are also very common. Considerar-se-ia a proposta se fosse mais viável. (The proposal would be considered if it were more viable.)

- A More Formal Aesthetic: Some EP speakers naturally lean towards more traditional grammar and may use mesoclisis even in moderately formal interactions where others might avoid it. This is more a reflection of individual linguistic habits rather than universal spoken practice.

However, even in EP, mesoclisis is not an everyday occurrence. In casual conversations among friends or family, it would sound out of place. Colloquial alternatives are always available and frequently preferred, often involving proclisis or periphrastic future constructions (e.g., ir + infinitive).

In Brazilian Portuguese (BP):

In Brazilian Portuguese, mesoclisis is virtually non-existent in spoken language, regardless of the level of formality. Even in highly formal speeches or academic presentations, Brazilians almost universally prefer proclisis with future and conditional tenses, or they rephrase sentences using the periphrastic future (ir + infinitive). Attempting to use mesoclisis in spoken BP will sound archaic, artificial, and often elicit surprise or even confusion.

Consider these examples and their BP spoken equivalents:

- Formal Written/EP Spoken: Ajudar-te-ei com a tarefa amanhã. (I will help you with the task tomorrow.)

- BP Spoken Equivalent: Eu te ajudo com a tarefa amanhã. (Present tense often used for future) or Eu vou te ajudar com a tarefa amanhã. or Eu te ajudarei com a tarefa amanhã. (Proclisis is standard).

- Formal Written/EP Spoken: Dir-lhe-íamos a verdade se soubéssemos. (We would tell him/her the truth if we knew it.)

- BP Spoken Equivalent: Nós diríamos a verdade pra ele/ela se soubéssemos. (Pronoun omitted or prepositional phrase used) or Nós iríamos dizer a verdade pra ele/ela se soubéssemos.

Conclusion for Real Conversations:

For B2 learners, the takeaway is crucial: focus on understanding mesoclisis when reading formal texts, but be extremely cautious about actively producing it in spoken Portuguese, especially in Brazil. In EP, a conservative and formal spoken context might allow it; in BP, it is best avoided in speech entirely. In informal written communication (e.g., WhatsApp, social media), mesoclisis is inappropriate in both variants. The ability to recognize it signals reading comprehension, but the decision to use it reflects a profound awareness of sociolinguistic register.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Is mesoclisis used in everyday spoken Portuguese?
  • A: Rarely. In European Portuguese, it might appear in highly formal speeches or by speakers with a very conservative style, but it's not common. In Brazilian Portuguese, it is virtually absent from spoken language, even in formal contexts. Brazilians almost exclusively prefer proclisis or periphrastic constructions (ir + infinitive) in speech.
  • Q: Why does mesoclisis exist if it's so formal/rare in speech?
  • A: It's a vestige of historical Portuguese grammar and serves to fulfill specific phonotactic and syntactic rules. It prevents starting a sentence with an unstressed pronoun and avoids awkward pronoun placement with future/conditional endings, particularly when no 'attractor' word is present. It maintains a formal, prescriptive elegance in written language.
  • Q: Can I always avoid mesoclisis and still be correct?
  • A: In many cases, yes. You can often rephrase sentences using the ir + infinitive construction (e.g., Eu vou te ajudar instead of ajudar-te-ei). In Brazilian Portuguese, simply using proclisis with the future/conditional (e.g., Eu te ajudarei) is the standard informal alternative. However, avoiding it might mean losing a specific nuance of formality or tradition in highly prescriptive written contexts, particularly in European Portuguese.
  • Q: Does mesoclisis apply to all verbs?
  • A: Yes, it can apply to all verbs, provided they are in the Future Simple or Conditional Simple tenses. The only specific variations are for irregular verbs that have special stems in these tenses (e.g., dizer -> dir-, fazer -> far-) and the specific phonetic changes that occur when direct object pronouns (o, a, os, as) are used.
  • Q: What happens if I use mesoclisis when an 'attractor' word is present?
  • A: This is a significant grammatical error. The 'attractor' word (like não, já, que) always dictates proclisis. Forcing mesoclisis will result in an ungrammatical and unnatural-sounding sentence (e.g., *Não fá-lo-ei is incorrect; it must be Não o farei). This is the most crucial rule to remember.
  • Q: How do I handle combining two pronouns in mesoclisis?
  • A: When combining an indirect object pronoun (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes) and a direct object pronoun (o, a, os, as), the indirect pronoun comes first, followed by the direct pronoun (which transforms to lo/la/los/las if the infinitive ends in -r, -s, or -z). For example, dar-to-ei (I will give it to you). This is an advanced and very formal construction, less common even within mesoclisis usage.
  • Q: Is it important for me to actively produce mesoclisis at the B2 level?
  • A: For B2, the priority is typically recognition and comprehension when reading formal texts, especially in European Portuguese. Active production is less critical for general communication but becomes important if you aspire to write highly formal Portuguese (e.g., academic papers, official reports) or to sound authentically formal in European Portuguese. In Brazilian Portuguese, active production is generally not expected or recommended in most contexts.
  • Q: How can I best practice mesoclisis?
  • A: Focus on analytical reading: identify mesoclisis in formal texts and deconstruct its formation. Practice the formation rules rigorously with various verbs and pronouns, paying close attention to irregular stems and the o/a/os/as transformations. Crucially, practice identifying contexts where proclisis is mandatory to avoid common errors.

Mesóclise Formation (Verb: Dar)

Person Future (Standard) Mesóclise (+te)
Eu
Darei
Dar-te-ei
Tu
Darás
Dar-te-ás
Ele/Ela
Dará
Dar-te-á
Nós
Daremos
Dar-te-emos
Vós
Dareis
Dar-te-eis
Eles/Elas
Darão
Dar-te-ão

Phonetic Adjustments

Verb Ending Pronoun Result
r/s/z
o/a
lo/la
nasal
o/a
no/na

Meanings

A formal grammatical construction where an object pronoun is inserted between the root of a verb and its ending.

1

Future of the Present

Inserting a pronoun into the future tense (e.g., 'farei' becomes 'far-lo-ei').

“Dar-te-ei o presente.”

“Ajudar-me-ão amanhã.”

2

Future of the Preterite

Inserting a pronoun into the conditional tense (e.g., 'faria' becomes 'far-lo-ia').

“Dar-te-ia o presente se pudesse.”

“Falar-lhe-ia a verdade.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb-Pronoun-Ending
Dar-te-ei
Conditional
Verb-Pronoun-Ending
Dar-te-ia
Negative
Proclisis (No Mesóclise)
Não te darei
Interrogative
Mesóclise (if start)
Dar-te-ei o livro?
With 'Que'
Proclisis
Que te darei?
With Adverb
Proclisis
Sempre te darei

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Dir-te-ei.

Dir-te-ei. (Communication)

Neutral
Eu te direi.

Eu te direi. (Communication)

Informal
Vou te dizer.

Vou te dizer. (Communication)

Slang
Vou te falar.

Vou te falar. (Communication)

Mesóclise Logic

Mesóclise

Tense

  • Futuro do Presente Future
  • Futuro do Pretérito Conditional

Constraint

  • No attractors No 'não', 'que', etc.
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Examples by Level

1

Vou te dar o livro.

I will give you the book.

2

Eu te darei o livro.

I will give you the book.

3

Vou dar-te o livro.

I will give you the book.

4

Eu quero dar o livro.

I want to give the book.

1

Dar-te-ei o livro.

I will give you the book.

2

Falar-lhe-ei amanhã.

I will speak to him tomorrow.

3

Não te darei o livro.

I will not give you the book.

4

Ajudar-me-ão logo.

They will help me soon.

1

Convidar-te-ia se pudesse.

I would invite you if I could.

2

Fazer-lo-ei com prazer.

I will do it with pleasure.

3

Dizer-nos-ão a verdade.

They will tell us the truth.

4

Poder-lhe-ia pedir um favor?

Could I ask you a favor?

1

Entregar-se-á o prêmio amanhã.

The prize will be delivered tomorrow.

2

Apresentar-lhe-ei os documentos.

I will present the documents to you.

3

Não se entregará o prêmio.

The prize will not be delivered.

4

Resolver-se-ia o problema facilmente.

The problem would be solved easily.

1

Considerar-se-ia tal medida abusiva.

Such a measure would be considered abusive.

2

Enviar-no-lo-ão na segunda-feira.

They will send it to us on Monday.

3

Se o pedires, dar-te-ei o que quiseres.

If you ask for it, I will give you what you want.

4

Não se far-lo-ia sem autorização.

It would not be done without authorization.

1

Agradecer-lhe-ei a gentileza quando nos virmos.

I will thank you for the kindness when we see each other.

2

Propor-se-ia uma nova solução caso o impasse persista.

A new solution would be proposed if the impasse persists.

3

Não se dir-nos-ia a verdade, ainda que perguntássemos.

We would not be told the truth, even if we asked.

4

Comprar-no-la-iam se o preço fosse menor.

They would buy it from us if the price were lower.

Easily Confused

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise) vs Enclisis

Learners think any pronoun after the verb is mesóclise.

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise) vs Proclisis

Learners use mesóclise after 'não'.

Portuguese Mesoclisis: The Pronoun Sandwich (Mesóclise) vs Future Tense

Learners try to use it with present tense.

Common Mistakes

✗

Não dar-te-ei

✓

Não te darei

Negative words attract the pronoun.
✗

Dar-te-o

✓

Dar-te-ei

Wrong tense.
✗

Falar-te-o

✓

Falar-te-ei

Incomplete conjugation.
✗

Te-dar-ei

✓

Dar-te-ei

Pronoun must be inside.
✗

Fazer-lo-ei

✓

Far-lo-ei

Must use the root 'far'.
✗

Dar-o-ei

✓

Dar-lo-ei

Phonetic rule for 'r'.
✗

Dizer-te-ia

✓

Dir-te-ia

Irregular root 'dir'.
✗

Que dar-te-ei

✓

Que te darei

'Que' is an attractor.
✗

Sempre dar-te-ei

✓

Sempre te darei

Adverbs attract.
✗

Dar-nos-lo-ei

✓

Dar-no-lo-ei

Nasal rule.
✗

Traz-lo-ei

✓

Tra-lo-ei

Irregular root.
✗

Vê-lo-ei

✓

Vê-lo-ei (Wait, this is enclisis, not mesóclise)

Mesóclise is for future.
✗

Pôr-lo-ei

✓

Pô-lo-ei

Root contraction.
✗

Dar-se-ão

✓

Dar-se-ão

Correct, but check context.

Sentence Patterns

___-te-ei o presente.

Não ___ te darei.

___-lo-ia se pudesse.

___-me-ão a verdade.

Real World Usage

Legal Contract very common

O pagamento realizar-se-á em trinta dias.

Literary Novel common

Falar-lhe-ia com toda a sinceridade.

Diplomatic Speech common

Apresentar-lhe-ei os cumprimentos.

Academic Paper occasional

Analisar-se-á o fenômeno sob nova ótica.

Formal Letter occasional

Enviar-lhe-ei o relatório amanhã.

Historical Text common

Dar-no-lo-ão os reis.

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💡

Check for Attractors

Always scan for 'não', 'que', or adverbs before using mesóclise.
⚠️

Avoid in Casual Speech

Using mesóclise in a bar will make you sound like a 19th-century poet.
🎯

Master the Root

Learn the irregular roots like 'far', 'dir', 'tra' to avoid mistakes.
💬

Regional Usage

It is much more common in European PT formal writing than in Brazilian PT.

Smart Tips

Use mesóclise to add a layer of sophistication.

Eu entregarei o documento a você. → Entregar-lhe-ei o documento.

Stop! Do not use mesóclise.

Não dar-te-ei. → Não te darei.

Remember the 'lo/la' rule.

Fazer-o-ei. → Far-lo-ei.

Avoid mesóclise entirely.

Falar-te-ei sobre isso. → Vou te falar sobre isso.

Pronunciation

dar-te-EI

Stress

The stress remains on the verb ending, not the pronoun.

Formal

Dar-te-EI o livro.

Assertive and serious.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Mesóclise is the 'Middle-clise'—the pronoun sits in the middle of the verb.

Visual Association

Imagine a sandwich where the bread is the verb root and the ending, and the meat is the pronoun.

Rhyme

In the future, don't be shy, put the pronoun in the middle, like 'dar-te-ia'.

Story

A formal diplomat is writing a letter. He wants to sound very elegant. He takes his verb 'falar' and splits it in two, sliding the 'lhe' right into the center. The result is 'Falar-lhe-ei', a perfect, formal sentence.

Word Web

FuturoFormalIntercalaçãoPronomeVerboLiterário

Challenge

Write three sentences using 'dar-te-ei', 'falar-lhe-ei', and 'fazer-lo-ei' in a formal context.

Cultural Notes

Mesóclise is viewed as extremely formal and often mocked in political contexts.

It is more accepted in formal writing and literature.

It is standard in formal legal documents.

It evolved from the Latin habit of placing clitics between the infinitive and the auxiliary verb in the future tense.

Conversation Starters

“

Você acha que a mesóclise ainda é necessária?

“

Como você diria 'Eu te darei' de forma muito formal?

“

Você já leu algum livro que usa mesóclise?

“

Por que a mesóclise é rara no Brasil?

Journal Prompts

Escreva um parágrafo formal sobre um contrato.
Imagine que você é um diplomata. Escreva uma frase formal.
Compare a linguagem de um livro antigo com a de um tweet.
Explique para um amigo por que a mesóclise é difícil.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct mesóclise form.

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dar-te-ei
Correct internal placement.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Não dar-te-ei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não te darei
Negative attractor.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

Qual é a forma correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Far-lo-ei
Phonetic rule.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dar-te-ei o livro
Standard order.
Translate to formal PT. Translation

I will tell him.

Answer starts with: Dir...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dir-lhe-ei
Formal mesóclise.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

Falar (mesóclise + me)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Falar-me-ei
Correct future form.
Is this true? True False Rule

Mesóclise can be used with the present tense.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Only future/conditional.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Faremos isso? B: Sim, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Far-lo-emos
Mesóclise.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct mesóclise form.

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dar-te-ei
Correct internal placement.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Não dar-te-ei o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não te darei
Negative attractor.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

Qual é a forma correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Far-lo-ei
Phonetic rule.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

o / dar-te-ei / livro

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dar-te-ei o livro
Standard order.
Translate to formal PT. Translation

I will tell him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dir-lhe-ei
Formal mesóclise.
Conjugate. Conjugation Drill

Falar (mesóclise + me)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Falar-me-ei
Correct future form.
Is this true? True False Rule

Mesóclise can be used with the present tense.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Only future/conditional.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Faremos isso? B: Sim, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Far-lo-emos
Mesóclise.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

8 exercises
Complete with mesoclisis (Verb: Telefonar, Pronoun: lhe, Tense: Conditional -ia) Fill in the Blank

Eu ________ se tivesse o número.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Telefonar-lhe-ia
Which one uses mesoclisis correctly with a direct object? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct form for 'I will buy it (the car)':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Comprá-lo-ei
Reorder to form a formal sentence Sentence Reorder

o / -ei / Entregar / -l'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Entregar-l'o-ei
Translate 'I would help you' using mesoclisis Translation

I would help you (formal).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ajudar-te-ia
Fix the 'magnet' mistake Error Correction

Quem ajudar-te-á hoje?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quem te ajudará hoje?
Match the meaning to the formal form Match Pairs

Match the forms:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Fá-lo-ei: I will do it
Which tense is compatible with mesoclisis? Multiple Choice

Identify the compatible tense:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Future
Insert the pronoun 'nos' Fill in the Blank

Eles ________ (visitar / future) no próximo mês.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: visitar-nos-ão

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Only in extremely formal writing. It is not used in speech.

Because the pronoun is 'sandwiched' between the verb root and the ending.

You must use proclisis (e.g., 'Não te darei').

Yes, future of the present and future of the preterite.

Yes, 'r', 's', 'z' change to 'lo/la'.

It is more common than in Brazil, especially in formal writing.

No, 'que' is an attractor.

Use proclisis (e.g., 'Eu te darei').

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

Te daré

Spanish lacks internal verb-pronoun placement.

French low

Je te donnerai

French structure is strictly proclitic.

German none

Ich werde dir geben

German is not a clitic-heavy language.

Japanese none

Anata ni agemasu

Japanese is agglutinative but not clitic-based.

Arabic partial

Sa-u'tika

Arabic uses suffixes, not intercalated clitics.

Chinese none

Wo hui gei ni

Chinese has no verb conjugation or clitics.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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

Learn These First

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