dar-lhe-ia/far-se-ia
Mesóclise No Futuro Do Pretérito
Mesoclisis is the 'sandwiching' of a pronoun between the verb stem and its ending. In formal Portuguese, this unique placement is used exclusively with two tenses: the Future Indicative (Futuro do Presente) and the Conditional (Futuro do Pretérito), particularly when the verb starts a sentence.
How It Works
Mesoclisis (mesóclise) is one of the most sophisticated features of Portuguese grammar. While rare in daily speech, it is essential to become proficient in formal writing, legal documents, and high-level literature.
1. How to Construct It:
Take the infinitive of the verb, insert the pronoun, and then add the specific ending for either the Future or the Conditional tense.
• Future: Escrever + lhe + ei = Escrever-lhe-ei (I will write to him).
• Conditional: Escrever + lhe + ia = Escrever-lhe-ia (I would write to him).
2. Irregular Stems:
The verbs fazer, dizer, and trazer (and their conditional forms faria, diria, traria) use their shortened stems: far-, dir-, and trar-.
• Fazer + se + á = Far-se-á (It will be done).
• Fazer + se + ia = Far-se-ia (It would be done).
3. Direct Object Changes:
When using direct object pronouns like -lo, -la, -los, -las, the final '-r' of the infinitive stem is dropped and an accent is often added to maintain the sound.
• Comer + o + ia = Comê-lo-ia (I would eat it).
4. When to Use It:
Mesoclisis is the 'default' formal choice when the verb begins a sentence. However, if there is a 'trigger' word (like negation or subordinating conjunctions) before the verb, you must use proclisis instead. Mesoclisis is never used if a proclisis trigger is present.
Examples (4)
- Dar-lhe-ia o meu apoio, caso ele o solicitasse.
I would give him my support, should he request it.
Word by Word: Give-to-him-would-I the my support, case he it requested.
The verb 'dar' is split to accommodate the indirect pronoun 'lhe' because the sentence starts with the verb.
- Far-se-ia justiça se as leis fossem cumpridas.
Justice would be done if the laws were followed.
Word by Word: Do-itself-would justice if the laws were fulfilled.
Uses the irregular stem 'far-' from 'fazer' with the reflexive pronoun 'se'.
- Dir-se-ia que o tempo parou naquela aldeia.
One would say that time stopped in that village.
Word by Word: Say-itself-would that the time stopped in-that village.
A common literary expression using the irregular stem 'dir-' from 'dizer'.
- Comê-lo-ia agora mesmo, se não estivesse frio.
I would eat it right now, if it weren't cold.
Word by Word: Eat-it-would-I now same, if not were cold.
Demonstrates the change from 'comer' to 'comê-lo' when inserting a direct object pronoun.
Common Mistakes
Using enclisis (pronoun at the end) with the conditional tense in formal writing.
Daria-lhe o livro amanhã.Dar-lhe-ia o livro amanhã.In standard formal grammar, placing the pronoun after a future or conditional verb (enclisis) is considered incorrect. You must use mesoclisis if no trigger word precedes the verb.
Using mesoclisis even when a proclisis trigger (like 'não') is present.
Não dar-lhe-ia o livro.Não lhe daria o livro.Negative words like 'não' are 'magnetic' and pull the pronoun to the front (proclisis), which cancels the possibility of mesoclisis.
Forgetting to drop the 'r' and add an accent for direct objects.
Comer-lo-ia.Comê-lo-ia.When the pronoun is -lo/-la, the infinitive 'r' must be dropped, and 'a' or 'e' endings require an accent (á/ê).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand mesoclisis in the conditional tense, you need to be familiar with the conditional verb forms and the object pronouns that are inserted into them. It is also helpful to have already encountered mesoclisis in the future tense, as the mechanism is identical.
- -ia/-ias/-ia/-íamos/-íeis/-iam (condicional)Futuro Do Pretérito Regular
The learner must first understand the conditional (futuro do pretérito) verb endings, as mesoclisis is formed by splitting these endings from the verb stem.
Level 3 - falar-lhe-eiMesoclisis with Future Tense
This pattern introduces the concept of mesoclisis in the future tense; the conditional version follows the exact same structural logic.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- dar-lhe-ei/far-se-áMesóclise No Futuro Do Presente
This is the equivalent mesoclisis pattern for the Future Indicative tense.
Level 6 - não lhe falarei / falar-lhe-eiProclisis Cancels Mesoclisis
Explains how negative words and other triggers force the pronoun to the front, blocking mesoclisis.
Level 4 - faria/diria/trariaCondicional Irregular (Fazer/Dizer/Trazer)
These are the irregular conditional verbs that require special stems when used with mesoclisis.
Level 3 - Mesoclisis
The general concept of mesoclisis across both future tenses.
Level 6 - Clitic Placement Register
Provides context on when to use each placement based on how formal the situation is.
Level 6
Practice dar-lhe-ia/far-se-ia in Bubblegum
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