Pronoun Placement in Portuguese

Overview

Pronoun Placement (Colocação dos Pronomes) is a upper-intermediate (CEFR B2) topic in Portuguese grammar. Complex pronoun placement rules: proclisis (before verb) after negation, question words, subordinate clauses; mesoclisis (within verb) in future/conditional; enclisis (after) otherwise.

Understanding pronoun placement is essential for building correct Portuguese sentences and communicating effectively. This concept is introduced at the B2 level and forms part of the foundation for more advanced grammar structures.

Whether you are learning Brazilian or European Portuguese, mastering pronoun placement will significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and accurately in a variety of contexts.

How It Works

Three positions for object pronouns:

Enclisis (after verb, default in PT): Dou-te o livro. (I give you the book.)

Proclisis (before verb, default in BR, triggered by specific words):

• Negation: Nao o vi.
• Question words: Quem te disse?
• Subordinate clauses: Embora o saiba...
• Adverbs: Ja o fiz.
• Indefinite pronouns: Ninguem me disse.

Mesoclisis (within verb, future/conditional only, formal PT):

• Future: Dar-te-ei. (I will give you.)
• Conditional: Fa-lo-ia. (I would do it.)

Brazilian Portuguese avoids mesoclisis entirely and strongly prefers proclisis.

Examples in Context

Portuguese	English	Note
Não o vi.	I didn't see him. (proclisis)
Dar-te-ei o livro.	I will give you the book. (mesoclisis)
Dou-te o livro.	I give you the book. (enclisis)
Quem te disse isso?	Who told you that? (proclisis)
Ninguem me disse.	Nobody told me.	proclisis
Que te disse?	What did he tell you?	proclisis
Ja o fiz.	I already did it.	proclisis
Fa-lo-ia.	I would do it.	mesoclisis
Dir-lhe-ei.	I will tell him.	mesoclisis

Common Mistakes

Wrong pronoun placement

• Wrong: Placing the pronoun in the wrong position relative to the verb
• Right: Follow Portuguese pronoun placement rules (which differ between BR and PT)
• Why: Pronoun position in Portuguese follows complex rules that differ between variants.

Confusing direct and indirect pronoun forms

• Wrong: Using a direct object pronoun where an indirect one is needed
• Right: Identify whether the pronoun replaces a direct or indirect object
• Why: Third-person pronouns differ between direct (o/a) and indirect (lhe) functions.

Forgetting pronoun-verb contractions

• Wrong: Not adjusting the pronoun form after certain verb endings
• Right: Apply the required changes: o becomes lo after -r, no after nasals
• Why: Portuguese has mandatory phonological adjustments when pronouns attach to verbs.

Usage Notes

At the B2 level, understanding regional variation becomes more important. Brazilian and European Portuguese may handle pronoun placement differently in terms of frequency, formality, and preferred constructions.

This concept is essential for both spoken and written Portuguese at the intermediate level. In formal writing, adhere to the standard rules; in casual speech, you may encounter simplified or alternative forms, particularly in Brazilian Portuguese.

Practice Tips

1. Practice pronoun placement with authentic Portuguese texts, listening for how native speakers use these forms in context.
2. Create flashcards with complete example sentences rather than isolated words to reinforce natural patterns.
3. Write short paragraphs using pronoun placement and compare them with native-written texts to identify areas for improvement.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Direct Object Pronouns -- provides the foundational knowledge needed for pronoun placement