The Personal Infinitive: Verbs with Personality (Infinitivo Pessoal)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Personal Infinitive allows you to specify who is performing an action within an infinitive phrase.
- Use it when the subject of the infinitive is different from the main clause subject: 'Para eles comerem'.
- Conjugate the infinitive using the personal endings (similar to the future subjunctive).
- Do not use it if the subject is the same as the main clause; use the impersonal infinitive instead.
Overview
Have you ever felt like Portuguese is playing a prank on you by making 'infinite' verbs actually change their endings? In most languages, the infinitive is a static, frozen form (like 'to eat' or 'manger'). But Portuguese is special.
It has a 'Personal Infinitive' (Infinitivo Pessoal) that conjugates to match the person doing the action. Why? Because Portuguese loves clarity.
It wants to make sure you know exactly who is 'eating' or 'gaming' without having to repeat names constantly. It’s like the verb has a little GPS tracker that tells you who’s involved. If you’ve ever seen a verb like comermos or fazerem and thought, 'Wait, that’s not a tense I know,' you’ve met the Personal Infinitive.
It’s the secret sauce that makes Portuguese sound fluid and sophisticated. Mastering this isn't just about passing a test; it's about sounding like a real person in Lisbon or São Paulo rather than a walking textbook. Let's look at why this exists and how you can stop fearing these 'mutant' infinitives.
The Personal Infinitive is one of the most 'Portuguese' things about the Portuguese language. While Spanish, French, and Italian stuck to the traditional 'frozen' infinitive, Portuguese decided to give its infinitive personality. This rule allows you to express an action while clearly identifying the subject, even when the verb isn't the 'main' verb of the sentence.
It usually pops up after prepositions like para (for/to), sem (without), or antes de (before). Imagine you are texting a friend: 'I bought pizza for us to eat.' In English, 'to eat' doesn't change. In Portuguese, you'd say Comprei pizza para comermos.
That -mos at the end of comer is the Personal Infinitive telling the world that we are the ones doing the eating. It’s incredibly efficient. It saves you from using clunky 'that' clauses (like 'so that we could eat').
It makes your speech faster, cleaner, and honestly, a lot more stylish. It’s a B2-level milestone because it requires you to think about the relationship between different parts of a sentence. It’s like moving from playing checkers to playing chess.
You’re not just saying things; you’re connecting them with precision.
How This Grammar Works
É importante estudarem.-em ending points directly at 'them' or 'you all' (vocês). It acts as a bridge. It allows the sentence to flow without needing a full 'que' (that) clause.para. It’s the 'flex' that shows you really know the language.Formation Pattern
-ar, -er, or -ir) and add these specific endings:
Eu: (no ending) – It looks just like the regular infinitive.
Tu: -es – Used mainly in Portugal or southern Brazil.
Ele/Ela/Você: (no ending) – Also looks like the regular infinitive.
Nós: -mos – Very common everywhere.
Vós: -des – You’ll only see this in the Bible or very old books. Forget it for daily life.
Eles/Elas/Vocês: -em – Extremely common.
falar | comer | sair |
-es | falares | comeres | saires |
falar | comer | sair |
-mos | falarmos | comermos | sairmos |
-em | falarem | comerem | saírem |
se) or 'when' (quando). Even for irregular verbs like ir or fazer, the Personal Infinitive is easy: just irmos, fazerem. No weird stem changes here! It’s one of the few times Portuguese grammar actually tries to be your friend.
When To Use It
- After Prepositions (The Big One): When you use words like
para,sem,por,antes de,depois de,até, orapesar de, and the subject changes. Example: 'He left without us seeing him' →Ele saiu sem nós o vermos. Without that-mos, we wouldn't know who didn't see him. If you're travel vlogging and say, 'I'm waiting for the gates to open,' you'd sayEstou à espera de os portões abrirem. - Impersonal Expressions: Phrases like
É bom,É necessário,É melhor, orÉ importantelove this grammar. If you're a boss on a Zoom call saying 'It’s better for you to send the report today,' you’d useÉ melhor enviarem o relatório hoje. It sounds much more natural than the long-windedÉ melhor que vocês enviem. - Clarifying the Subject: Sometimes, even without a preposition, we use it to avoid ambiguity. If there are two possible subjects in a sentence, the ending on the infinitive acts like a spotlight, showing us the right one. It’s like tagging someone in a photo so everyone knows who’s who. In a world of Netflix subtitles and rapid WhatsApp messages, this clarity is a lifesaver. It keeps the conversation moving without those awkward 'Who are you talking about?' interruptions.
Common Mistakes
se (if). Big mistake! Se always wants the Future Subjunctive. Another classic error is over-using it. You don't need it if the subject stays the same. If I say 'I want to eat,' it's just Quero comer. Don't say Quero eu comer. That just sounds like you’re trying too hard at a poetry slam. Also, watch out for the third-person plural -em ending. People often forget to add it, making it sound like a single person is doing the work of five. For example, 'For them to win...' should be Para eles ganharem, not Para eles ganhar. Lastly, don't forget the stress! In saírem (for them to leave), that 'i' gets an accent in European Portuguese to keep the sound right. It’s the little details that separate the pros from the amateurs. It’s like choosing the right filter on Instagram—it just makes everything look better.Contrast With Similar Patterns
Fumar faz mal). No specific person is smoking; it’s a general truth.Faz mal vocês fumarem).É preciso que eles façam (Subjunctive).É preciso eles fazerem (Personal Infinitive).Quick FAQ
Can I use the Personal Infinitive with irregular verbs?
Yes! That’s the best part. Unlike the subjunctive, you just take the irregular infinitive (like ter, pôr, vir) and add the endings. Termos, porem, virem. Easy!
Is it used more in Brazil or Portugal?
Both! But they use it differently. In Portugal, you'll hear the tu form (comeres) a lot. In Brazil, they use the vocês form (comerem) constantly after para.
Does it have a tense?
Not really. It usually takes its 'time' from the main verb in the sentence. It can be past, present, or future.
What if I forget the ending?
People will usually still understand you, but you’ll sound a bit like a robot. Adding the endings makes you sound human and connected.
Can I use it after 'para' even if the subject is the same?
You can, but it's redundant. If I'm doing both actions, just use the regular infinitive: Vou ao ginásio para treinar. No need for treinar-mos if it's just me!
Is there a trick to remember the plural ending?
Just think of it like the regular present tense 'they' form. They both end in -m or -em. If it's more than one person, add the 'm'!
Personal Infinitive Conjugation (Ex: Falar)
| Person | Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Eu
|
-
|
falar
|
|
Tu
|
-es
|
falares
|
|
Ele/Ela/Você
|
-
|
falar
|
|
Nós
|
-mos
|
falarmos
|
|
Vós
|
-des
|
falardes
|
|
Eles/Elas/Vocês
|
-em
|
falarem
|
Meanings
The Personal Infinitive is a unique Portuguese verb form that allows the infinitive to be conjugated to indicate a specific subject.
Subject Specification
Identifying the actor of an infinitive verb.
“É melhor vocês saírem agora.”
“Eles pediram para nós fazermos o jantar.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Infinitive + Ending
|
Para nós falarmos
|
|
Negative
|
Não + Inf. + Ending
|
Para não falarmos
|
|
Question
|
Verb + Subject?
|
É para vocês irem?
|
|
Reflexive
|
Inf. + Ending + -se
|
Para eles se sentarem
|
|
Compound
|
Ter + Participle
|
Por terem chegado
|
|
Passive
|
Ser + Participle
|
Por serem convidados
|
Formality Spectrum
É imperativo que estudemos. (Education)
É importante estudarmos. (Education)
É bom a gente estudar. (Education)
Bora estudar. (Education)
Personal Infinitive Logic
Usage
- Different subjects Main vs Subordinate
Form
- Future Subjunctive Same endings
Examples by Level
É bom estudarmos.
It is good for us to study.
Eles querem sairmos.
They want us to leave.
Para vocês comerem.
For you all to eat.
É para fazermos.
It is for us to do.
O professor pediu para lermos.
The teacher asked us to read.
É melhor eles irem.
It is better for them to go.
Para não perdermos o ônibus.
So we don't miss the bus.
Eles precisam de nós para terminarmos.
They need us to finish.
Foi um erro eles terem vindo.
It was a mistake for them to have come.
É importante vocês saberem a verdade.
It is important for you to know the truth.
Eles estão aqui para nos ajudarem.
They are here to help us.
Não é justo eles pagarem tudo.
It is not fair for them to pay for everything.
O contrato exige que as partes assinarem.
The contract requires the parties to sign.
Para evitarmos problemas, vamos sair cedo.
To avoid problems, we will leave early.
Eles foram multados por estacionarem mal.
They were fined for parking badly.
É fundamental vocês entenderem o processo.
It is fundamental for you to understand the process.
Ao chegarem, eles viram a confusão.
Upon arriving, they saw the mess.
Por terem falado a verdade, foram perdoados.
For having told the truth, they were forgiven.
É preciso que eles se esforçarem.
It is necessary for them to make an effort.
Sem eles saberem, preparamos uma festa.
Without them knowing, we prepared a party.
Dada a urgência, é imperativo agirmos.
Given the urgency, it is imperative that we act.
Ao serem questionados, eles calaram-se.
Upon being questioned, they remained silent.
Para não se sentirem excluídos, convidamos todos.
So as not to feel excluded, we invited everyone.
Por serem estrangeiros, não entenderam a piada.
Because they were foreigners, they didn't understand the joke.
Easily Confused
Learners don't know when to conjugate.
Both can follow 'que'.
They look the same.
Common Mistakes
Para eu comer
Para comer
Eles querem para eu ir
Eles querem que eu vá
Para nós comermos
Para comermos
Para eles comer
Para eles comerem
É bom para nós ir
É bom para nós irmos
Eles pediram para nós ir
Eles pediram para nós irmos
Para tu ir
Para tu ires
Sem eles saber
Sem eles saberem
Por eles ter feito
Por eles terem feito
Ao nós chegar
Ao chegarmos
É preciso eles fazer
É preciso eles fazerem
Para não se sentir
Para não se sentirem
Ao eles serem vistos
Ao serem vistos
Sentence Patterns
É importante para ___ ___.
Eles pediram para ___ ___.
___ para não ___.
Ao ___ , eles viram tudo.
Real World Usage
É importante para vocês terminarem o projeto.
Vamos sair para não perdermos o filme.
É fundamental para mim aprender.
É melhor vocês comprarem os bilhetes.
Instruções para o entregador lerem.
Dicas para vocês seguirem.
Check the subject
Avoid redundancy
Future Subjunctive
Regional usage
Smart Tips
Always check if you need to conjugate the infinitive.
Use the personal infinitive for clarity.
Use the personal infinitive to specify the actor.
If the subject follows 'para', conjugate it.
Pronunciation
Stress
The stress remains on the same syllable as the base infinitive.
Declarative
É importante estudarmos ↘
Falling intonation for statements.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Personal' Infinitive as adding a 'Personal' tag to the verb so we know who is doing it.
Visual Association
Imagine a group of people standing in line, and each one has a name tag on their shirt. The infinitive verb is the shirt, and the personal ending is the name tag.
Rhyme
If the subject changes, don't be shy, add a suffix to the verb, and let the meaning fly!
Story
Maria wanted to go to the park. She asked her friends to go. Because Maria is the subject of 'wanted' and her friends are the subject of 'going', she says: 'Eu quero que eles vão' or 'Eu quero para eles irem'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today about what you want your friends to do using the personal infinitive.
Cultural Notes
In casual Brazilian Portuguese, the impersonal infinitive is often used even when the subject is different, relying on context.
The personal infinitive is strictly adhered to in both formal and informal speech.
In legal documents, the personal infinitive is mandatory for clarity.
The personal infinitive evolved from the Latin infinitive, gaining personal endings to clarify subject reference.
Conversation Starters
O que você quer que seus amigos façam hoje?
É importante para vocês aprenderem português?
O que é preciso para vocês terem sucesso?
Como vocês se sentem ao falarem português?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
É importante para nós ___ (estudar).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu quero para eu comer.
É importante que vocês façam isso.
The personal infinitive is used when the subject is the same.
A: Vamos sair? B: Sim, para não ___ (perder) o trem.
para / eles / chegar / cedo / é / melhor
Vocês ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesÉ importante para nós ___ (estudar).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu quero para eu comer.
É importante que vocês façam isso.
The personal infinitive is used when the subject is the same.
A: Vamos sair? B: Sim, para não ___ (perder) o trem.
para / eles / chegar / cedo / é / melhor
Vocês ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesApesar de eles ____ muito dinheiro, são humildes.
Para tu ser feliz, precisas de viajar.
para / o / café / beberem / eles / Fiz
Without us saying anything...
Choose the right option:
Match correctly:
Liguem-me quando vocês ____ no hotel.
Antes de nós ir embora, vamos tirar uma foto.
Which one uses the PERSONAL infinitive?
Trago o carregador para vocês ____ usar o telemóvel.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a verb form that shows who is doing the action.
When the subject of the infinitive is different from the main verb.
Add endings like -es, -mos, -em to the infinitive.
Yes, the endings are identical.
No, use the impersonal infinitive.
It is used in all registers, but essential in formal writing.
Yes, but they sometimes skip it in casual speech.
You might be misunderstood, so practice the endings!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Infinitive
Spanish lacks the personal infinitive.
Infinitive
French does not inflect the infinitive.
zu + Infinitive
German does not inflect the infinitive.
Verb + koto
Japanese has no verb conjugation for person.
Masdar
Arabic does not have an inflected infinitive.
Verb
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
How to use Infinitive in Portuguese? Infinitivo pessoal e impesssoal explicado com os exemplos!
Listen and Learn Portuguese with Maria
ADVANCED PORTUGUESE QUIZ - Do you accept the challenge? | Infinitivo Pessoal vs. Impessoal
Speaking Brazilian Language School
The Grammar Trick to Sound More Eloquent in Portuguese (Personal Infinitive)
Plain Portuguese
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