tudo/alguém/sempre/já/também + Pronoun
Proclisis with Attracting Adverbs
In Portuguese, object pronouns (like me, te, se, o) usually follow the verb in European Portuguese. However, words like já (already), sempre (always), tudo (everything), and alguém (someone) force the pronoun to move before the verb. This is called proclisis.
How It Works
While enclisis (pronoun after the verb) is the standard in European Portuguese, proclisis (pronoun before the verb) is mandatory when specific 'attractor' words are present.
Key Attractors:
- Indefinite Pronouns: tudo (everything), alguém (someone), nada (nothing), algo (something).
- Short Adverbs: já (already), sempre (always), também (also), ainda (still), talvez (maybe).
- Relative Pronouns: Words like que (that/which) or quem (who) act as strong magnets.
The 'No-Pause' Rule:
The attraction only works if there is no pause (like a comma) between the attractor and the verb. If you place a comma after the adverb, the 'magnet' is broken, and the pronoun returns to its position after the verb.
The Infinitive Exception:
In European Portuguese, if the verb is in the infinitive, the attraction rule becomes optional. You can say para não me ver or para não ver-me, though placing it before the verb is more common in modern usage.
Regional Differences:
In Brazilian Portuguese, proclisis is the natural default in speech. However, these rules are strictly followed in formal Brazilian writing (norma culta) and are essential for all registers of European Portuguese.
Examples (5)
- Tudo se resolve com o tempo.
Everything resolves itself with time.
Word by Word: Everything itself resolves with the time.
The indefinite pronoun 'tudo' attracts the reflexive pronoun 'se' to the position before the verb 'resolve'.
- Eu já o fiz ontem à noite.
I already did it last night.
Word by Word: I already it did yesterday at night.
The adverb 'já' is a strong attractor, pulling the direct object pronoun 'o' before the verb 'fiz'.
- Alguém me chamou lá fora?
Did someone call me outside?
Word by Word: Someone me called there outside?
The indefinite pronoun 'alguém' triggers proclisis, placing 'me' before 'chamou'.
- Eles também se esqueceram da chave.
They also forgot the key.
Word by Word: They also themselves forgot of the key.
The adverb 'também' attracts the pronoun 'se' to the pre-verbal position.
- Sempre me dizes a verdade.
You always tell me the truth.
Word by Word: Always me you tell the truth.
In European Portuguese, 'Sempre' forces the pronoun 'me' to come before the verb.
Common Mistakes
Using enclisis (pronoun after) when an attractor like 'já' is present.
Já disse-te a verdade.Já te disse a verdade.In standard Portuguese, you cannot use enclisis after 'já'. The adverb must pull the pronoun 'te' to the front.
Forgetting that a comma breaks the attraction.
Sempre, me dizes a verdade.Sempre, dizes-me a verdade.If there is a comma after the adverb, it no longer attracts the pronoun. In European Portuguese, you must then use enclisis.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn this pattern, you need to be comfortable with object pronouns and the general concept of proclisis (placing pronouns before the verb). You also need to recognize the specific adverbs and indefinite pronouns (like 'tudo', 'sempre', and 'já') that trigger this specific word order.
- Proclisis (Pronoun Before Verb)
This pattern is a specific sub-rule of proclisis, requiring a general understanding of placing pronouns before the verb.
Level 2 - isto/isso/aquiloNeuter Demonstrative Pronouns
Understanding indefinite and neuter pronouns is necessary as they function as the 'attracting' words in this grammatical structure.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Enclisis (Pronoun After Verb)
The default pronoun position in European Portuguese when no attractors are present.
Level 2 - não + Pronoun + VerbProclisis with Negation
Negation is another major trigger for mandatory proclisis.
Level 2 - queRelative Pronoun Que
Relative pronouns like 'que' are powerful attractors that force the pronoun to come before the verb.
Level 3 - Brazilian vs European Clitic Placement
Explains how these rules differ between spoken Brazilian and European Portuguese.
Level 3 - me/te/o/a/nos/vos/os/asDirect Object Pronouns
These are the specific pronouns that are moved by attractor words.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice tudo/alguém/sempre/já/também + Pronoun in Bubblegum
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