Pronouns Before the Verb in Subordinate Clauses
In a main clause the pronoun normally follows the verb, but inside a clause that begins with que, se, cando, porque and similar words, it moves in front: Creo que te coñezo (I think I know you).
How It Works
Which words?
- que, meaning "that" or the relative "which, who": Creo que te coñezo; o libro que me deches
- se (if, whether): Se o ves, avísame
- cando: Cando me chamaches, estaba na ducha
- porque, xa que, como: Vou á festa porque me convidaron
- onde, mentres, aínda que, para que and other linking words
Two clauses, two orders. In Se o ves, avísame, the if-clause has o ves, and the command after it has avísame. Do not carry the order of one clause into the other.
E and pero do not count. Words that simply join two main clauses do not pull the pronoun in front: Chegou á casa e deitouse (She got home and went to bed), Quíxeno chamar, pero esquecéuseme.
Related triggers. Question words work the same way (pronouns in questions), and so do relative words (relative que). Negatives and adverbs are covered in pronouns after negatives and pronouns after certain adverbs.
Conjugated verbs only. After a preposition + infinitive, both orders are used: para velo and para o ver (to see it). See a pronoun before an infinitive after a preposition.
Examples (6)
- Creo que te coñezo.
I think I know you.
Word by Word: Believe-I that you know-I.
- Se o ves, avísame.
If you see him, let me know.
Word by Word: If him see-you, warn-me.
The if-clause has the pronoun in front; the command avísame keeps it after.
- Este é o libro que me deches.
This is the book you gave me.
Word by Word: This is the book that me gave-you.
- Cando me chamaches, estaba na ducha.
When you called me, I was in the shower.
Word by Word: When me called-you, was-I in-the shower.
- Díxome que lle gustaba moito o regalo.
She told me she really liked the present.
Word by Word: Told-me that to-her pleased much the present.
- Vou á festa porque me convidaron.
I'm going to the party because they invited me.
Word by Word: Go-I to-the party because me invited-they.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the pronoun after the verb after que.
Creo que coñézote.Creo que te coñezo.Que introduces a subordinate clause, so the pronoun goes before the verb.
Forgetting the rule in a relative clause.
É o libro que déchesme.É o libro que me deches.Relative que also pulls the pronoun in front of the verb.
Moving the pronoun after e, which does not trigger it.
Chegou á casa e se deitou.Chegou á casa e deitouse.E joins two main clauses. It is not a subordinating word, so the pronoun stays after the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A subordinating expression affects clitic placement within its own clause.
Related Patterns
- Pronouns Before the Verb After Negatives
Negative words are another trigger for putting the pronoun first.
Level 2 - Pronouns Before the Verb in Wh- Questions
Question words pull the pronoun in front in the same way.
Level 2 - Pronouns Before the Verb After xa, tamén, sóPronouns Before the Verb After Certain Adverbs
Certain adverbs are the other common trigger.
Level 3 - Relative queRelative Pronoun Que
Relative clauses with que always have the pronoun before the verb.
Level 3 - se + PresentReal Conditions with Se
If-clauses with se, where this word order appears all the time.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Pronouns Before the Verb in Subordinate Clauses in Bubblegum
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