o mesmo/a mesma

Formal Pronoun Substitute

Level 4

In formal or legal Portuguese, writers often use o mesmo (the same) as a pronoun to avoid repeating a noun. While common in official documents, it is often criticized as poor style in modern writing.

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of 'legalese' (juridiquês) and administrative writing. It functions as an anaphoric substitute, meaning it points back to a specific noun mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph.

1. Agreement:
The pronoun must agree in gender and number with the noun it replaces:

  • O mesmo (masculine singular)
  • A mesma (feminine singular)
  • Os mesmos (masculine plural)
  • As mesmas (feminine plural)

2. Usage Context:
You will see this most often in police reports, legal contracts, and elevator signs (a famous Brazilian example). However, most modern grammarians and style guides advise against it, suggesting that demonstratives or simple personal pronouns are more elegant.

3. Distinction from 'Same':
Do not confuse this with the adjective use of 'mesmo' (e.g., o mesmo carro - the same car) or the emphatic use (e.g., eu mesmo fiz - I myself did it). In this specific pattern, o mesmo stands alone as a replacement for a noun.

Examples (4)

  1. O réu apresentou a defesa, e a mesma foi anexada ao processo.

    The defendant presented the defense, and the same [it] was attached to the lawsuit.

    Word by Word: The defendant presented the defense, and the same was attached to-the process.

    Here, 'a mesma' replaces 'a defesa' to avoid repetition in a legal context.

  2. Antes de entrar no elevador, verifique se o mesmo se encontra parado neste andar.

    Before entering the elevator, verify if the same [it] is stopped on this floor.

    Word by Word: Before of to-enter in-the elevator, verify if the same itself finds stopped in-this floor.

    A classic Brazilian sign where 'o mesmo' refers back to 'o elevador'.

  3. Recebemos o relatório e encaminhamos o mesmo à diretoria.

    We received the report and forwarded the same [it] to the board.

    Word by Word: We-received the report and we-forwarded the same to-the board.

    In business correspondence, 'o mesmo' is used here instead of the clitic pronoun '-o' (encaminhamo-lo).

  4. As testemunhas chegaram e as mesmas foram ouvidas pelo juiz.

    The witnesses arrived and the same [they] were heard by the judge.

    Word by Word: The witnesses arrived and the same were heard by-the judge.

    Plural feminine form 'as mesmas' referring back to 'as testemunhas'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'o mesmo' in casual conversation or informal emails.

    Vi o João e falei com o mesmo no café.
    Vi o João e falei com ele no café.

    In speech and informal writing, using 'o mesmo' sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic. Use 'ele' or 'ela' instead.

  • Overusing it in formal essays thinking it sounds more 'advanced'.

    A teoria é complexa, mas a mesma explica o fenômeno.
    A teoria é complexa, mas esta explica o fenômeno.

    Modern style guides prefer using demonstratives like 'esta' or 'essa' to refer back to concepts, as 'a mesma' is considered a 'vicious habit' of bureaucratic writing.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

o mesmo/a mesmaLevel 4Formal Pronoun Substitute

Learn This First

To use 'o mesmo' or 'a mesma' as a formal substitute, you first need to understand how standard object pronouns (like 'o' or 'a') function to replace nouns. You also need to apply gender and number agreement to ensure the substitute matches the noun it is referring back to.

Words in This Pattern

o mesmo