Before we start our discussion, it becomes necessary and important to ask you a little question: do you remember the oblique pronouns, which we have already studied? If you have forgotten, remind them through the text "Oblique pronouns and their functions”. Now, everything will become easier, because what we will learn here is exactly how they are placed in prayer, hence the name “placement pronominal" – always bearing in mind that it only occurs with unstressed pronouns (represented by the pronouns me, te, se, o, a, h, nos, vos, se, os, as, them). There are three basic ways they appear: before the verb, in the middle and after it, whose positions are given specific names.
Thus, we will start with the first position, the one in which the pronoun is before the verb, also called proclisis. Therefore, we must use it in the following circumstances:
The pronominal placement refers to the position in which the oblique pronoun is found in the clause
* With verbs modified by adverbs, and these adverbs always appear before the verbs:
I never saw them walking around here.
We have that “never” represents an adverb of negation.
I always considered her a very polite girl.
We realized that “always” is classified as an adverb of time.
* In sentences started by indefinite pronouns or demonstrative pronouns:
That bad joke bothered her a lot.
We have that "that" represents a demonstrative pronoun.
Everything made her happy.
“Everything” is classified as an indefinite pronoun.
* In interrogative sentences initiated by interrogative pronouns or adverbs:
What does it cost me to help the dear teacher?
How did you get her back?
* In exclamatory sentences beginning with exclamatory pronouns or adverbs:
How many times have I complimented her on her effort and dedication!
How much good it does us to help those in need!
* In optional clauses, that is, those that express a desire for something, since the subject is before the verb:
God bless you, my friend!
* In front of the verb expressed in the gerund (one of the nominal forms), accompanied by the preposition "in":
When it comes to written language, we need to use our knowledge.
* With the verb in the personal infinitive (inflected or not) accompanied by some preposition:
Thank you for respecting me so much.
We realize that “for” is a preposition and “respect” is found in the infinitive (verb in the original form).
Let's see how the enclisis is used (when the pronoun is after the verb):
* With verbs at the beginning of the sentence, as long as they are not in the future tense:
It costs me not to go to the movies with you.
I remember that unforgettable tour.
* With verb in the affirmative imperative:
Tell me the whole truth.
Offer him all the gifts that arrived.
* In interrogative sentences initiated by interrogative words, with the verb in the personal infinitive (the one that is not inflected):
Why accompany me on this journey?
How to use the mesoclisis (pronoun in the middle of the verb):
Mesoclisis is not a form that we use a lot in our daily lives, as it is more present in literary language, but even so, we must know its characteristics. It is used only in two cases:
- With verbs in the past tense:
I would offer you a great help. We have that the ending “-ia” refers to the tense already expressed previously (future of the past tense).
- With verbs in the present tense:
I will congratulate them on the victory they have achieved. We found that the ending “-ei” refers to the future of the present.
Take the opportunity to check out our video lesson related to subject matter:
