em que/no qual
Preposition Plus Relative Pronoun
In Portuguese, when a relative pronoun (like 'that' or 'which') is used with a verb that requires the preposition em (such as morar em or pensar em), that preposition must move to the front of the pronoun, resulting in em que or the more formal no qual.
How It Works
Relative pronouns link a main clause to a descriptive clause. When the verb in the descriptive clause requires the preposition em, you must use em que or no qual.
1. The Choice of Preposition:
The preposition is determined by the verb or noun in the second part of the sentence. For example, if you say 'I live in a house' (Eu moro em uma casa), the relative clause becomes 'The house in which I live' (A casa em que eu moro).
2. em que vs. no qual:
- em que: Invariable (never changes). It is the most common form in both speech and writing.
- no qual / na qual: Variable (must match the gender and number of the noun). This form is the contraction of the preposition em with the relative pronoun o qual. It is preferred in formal contexts or when you need to clarify which noun you are referring to in a complex sentence.
3. Abstract vs. Physical:
Unlike onde, which is strictly for physical locations, em que and no qual can be used for abstract concepts like situations or theories.
4. Temporal Contexts:
When referring to time (days, years, moments), you can use em que, no qual, or the relative adverb quando.
Example: 'O ano em que nasci' or 'O ano quando nasci' (The year in which/when I was born).
Examples (5)
- A cidade em que eu moro é muito grande.
The city in which I live is very big.
Word by Word: The city in that I live is very big.
The verb 'morar' requires the preposition 'em'. Therefore, 'em' must precede the relative pronoun 'que'.
- Esta é a empresa na qual ela trabalha.
This is the company in which she works.
Word by Word: This is the company in-the which she works.
Here 'na qual' is used to match the feminine noun 'empresa'. It sounds slightly more formal than 'em que'.
- O momento em que nos conhecemos foi especial.
The moment in which we met was special.
Word by Word: The moment in that us we-met was special.
For time-related antecedents like 'momento', 'em que' is the standard choice.
- Os documentos nos quais encontrei o erro sumiram.
The documents in which I found the error disappeared.
Word by Word: The documents in-the which I-found the error disappeared.
Using 'nos quais' (plural masculine) clearly links back to 'documentos'.
- A situação em que ele se encontra é difícil.
The situation in which he finds himself is difficult.
Word by Word: The situation in that he himself finds is difficult.
Since 'situação' is abstract, 'em que' is used instead of 'onde'.
Common Mistakes
Dropping the preposition 'em' before the relative pronoun.
A casa que eu moro é velha.A casa em que eu moro é velha.In English, we often end sentences with prepositions ('The house I live in'), but in Portuguese, the preposition must move to the front of the relative pronoun.
Using 'onde' for time or abstract concepts.
O século onde a guerra começou.O século em que a guerra começou.'Onde' should only be used for physical, static locations. For time (century, year, day) or abstract ideas, use 'em que'.
Gender disagreement when using 'no qual'.
A ideia no qual pensei.A ideia na qual pensei.Because 'no qual' is a contraction of 'em + o qual', it must agree with the noun it refers to. 'Ideia' is feminine, so 'na qual' is required.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn this pattern, you must first understand how basic relative pronouns like 'que' and 'o qual' function to link sentences. Additionally, you need a solid grasp of basic prepositions, as this pattern specifically deals with how those prepositions are placed before the relative pronoun when the verb in the relative clause requires one (e.g., 'gostar de' becoming 'de que').
- queRelative Pronoun Que
The relative pronoun 'que' is the base component of this pattern, used to connect clauses.
Level 3 - o qual/a qual/os quais/as quaisFormal Relative O Qual
The formal relative pronoun 'o qual' is the other primary component used when combining with prepositions.
Level 4 - a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
Understanding basic prepositions is essential because this pattern involves placing them before relative pronouns to satisfy the verb's requirements.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- quandoRelative Adverb Quando
A common alternative to 'em que' or 'no qual' when the antecedent refers to time.
Level 4 - ondeRelative Adverb Onde
Often confused with 'em que', but restricted to physical locations.
Level 3 - em + o = noContraction No
The contraction rule that explains the formation of 'no qual' (em + o qual).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice em que/no qual in Bubblegum
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