Pronouns Before the Verb After Negatives
In a negative sentence the pronoun jumps in front of the verb: Chámome Ana but Non me chamo Ana; Seino but Non o sei.
How It Works
The rule. Normally the pronoun follows the verb (enclisis). When the sentence contains a negative word before the verb, the pronoun moves in front:
- Chámome Ana. → Non me chamo Ana.
- Vino onte. → Nunca o vin.
- Díxome algo. → Nada me dixo.
Which words? non, nunca, xamais, nada, ninguén, ningún / ningunha, nin and tampouco. The pronoun sits directly before the verb: Ninguén a viu.
The pronoun keeps its plain shape. In front of the verb, o stays o: Non o sei. The lo and no variants only appear when the pronoun follows a verb (facelo, seino).
A separate "non" does not count. When non is a one-word answer followed by a pause, it does not belong to the next clause, so that clause keeps normal enclisis: Non, chámome Uxía (No, my name is Uxía).
With two verbs. In verb phrases like querer + infinitive, a negative sentence can put the pronoun before the first verb or attach it to the infinitive: Non o quero ver or Non quero velo. See pronouns in verb phrases. Negative commands follow the same rule: Non te preocupes; see negative commands.
Examples (6)
- Non me chamo Ana, chámome Antía.
My name is not Ana, it is Antía.
Word by Word: Not myself call Ana, call-myself Antía.
- Non o sei.
I do not know.
Word by Word: Not it know.
- Nunca te vin por aquí.
I have never seen you around here.
Word by Word: Never you saw by here.
- Ninguén a viu saír.
Nobody saw her leave.
Word by Word: Nobody her saw to-leave.
- Nada lle parece ben.
Nothing seems right to him.
Word by Word: Nothing to-him seems well.
- Non, chámome Uxía.
No, my name is Uxía.
Word by Word: No, call-myself Uxía.
Here non is a separate answer, so the next clause keeps the pronoun after the verb.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the pronoun after the verb in a negative sentence.
Non chámome Ana.Non me chamo Ana.Non pulls the pronoun in front of the verb.
Leaving the pronoun after the verb with nunca.
Nunca vinte por aquí.Nunca te vin por aquí.Nunca is negative, so the pronoun goes before the verb, just as with non.
Using lo in front of the verb.
Non lo sei.Non o sei.Lo only appears right after a form ending in -r or -s. Before the verb the pronoun is simply o.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Negative expressions place an unstressed pronoun before the verb.
Related Patterns
- Pronouns Before the Verb in Wh- Questions
Question words trigger the same movement.
Level 2 - Double Negation
When nunca, nada or ninguén follows the verb, non goes first and pulls the pronoun forward: Non o vin nunca.
Level 2 - Negative Commands
Negative commands put the pronoun first too: Non te preocupes.
Level 3 - Pronouns in Verb Phrases
Where the pronoun goes when a negative verb phrase has two verbs.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice Pronouns Before the Verb After Negatives in Bubblegum
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