Pronoun Position by Verb Form
Weak pronouns precede finite verbs in ordinary statements but follow infinitives, gerunds and positive imperatives.
How It Works
A finite verb marks person and tense. Its weak object or adverbial pronoun normally comes before it: el veig, ho faré, vull que hi vagis. Negation precedes the pronoun group: no el veig.
Compare an ordinary finite statement, an infinitive and a command as one editing exercise: ho faré, fer-ho and feu-ho. The object stays identical, but the verb form chooses its position. A negative command returns to preverb placement: no ho feu. In a compound tense, place the group before the finite auxiliary, while an eligible periphrasis can allow a whole-cluster alternative after its infinitive.
Examples (3)
- Ho faré demà.
I will do it tomorrow.
- Fer-ho bé requereix temps.
Doing it well takes time.
- Feu-ho amb cura.
Do it carefully.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Locate the finite verb or auxiliary before positioning its pronoun group. Attach a cluster to the nonfinite verb that governs its complements. Identify the affirmative command before attaching a multi-pronoun cluster.
- Proclisis with Finite Verbs
Locate the finite verb or auxiliary before positioning its pronoun group.
Level 4 - Enclisis with Infinitives and Gerunds
Attach a cluster to the nonfinite verb that governs its complements.
Level 4 - Enclisis with Affirmative Imperatives
Identify the affirmative command before attaching a multi-pronoun cluster.
Level 4
Practice Pronoun Position by Verb Form in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Catalan lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
