quem/onde/como + Pronoun + Verb
Proclisis with Question Words
In Portuguese, certain 'attractive' words pull object pronouns to the front of the verb. Interrogative words (who, where, how, etc.) are strong attractors, making proclisis (pronoun before verb) mandatory.
How It Works
In Portuguese grammar, the placement of clitic pronouns (like me, te, se, o, a, nos, lhe) is governed by specific rules. While European Portuguese often defaults to placing the pronoun after the verb (enclisis), certain words act as 'magnets' that pull the pronoun to the front (proclisis).
1. The Attractors:
The primary interrogative words that trigger this rule include:
- Pronouns: quem (who), que (what), qual (which), quanto (how much).
- Adverbs: onde (where), como (how), quando (when), por que (why).
2. Direct vs. Indirect Questions:
The rule is not just for sentences ending in a question mark. If you use a question word to introduce a subordinate clause (an indirect question), the attraction still happens. For example: Não sei onde se meteu o gato (I don't know where the cat got to).
3. Regional Differences:
In Brazilian Portuguese, proclisis is the natural spoken default, so this rule feels very intuitive. In European Portuguese, where enclisis is the default, this rule is a critical marker of correct grammar. Even in formal Brazilian writing, failing to place the pronoun before the verb after an interrogative is considered a grammatical error.
Examples (5)
- Quem te disse isso?
Who told you that?
Word by Word: Who you told that?
The interrogative 'Quem' attracts the pronoun 'te' to the position before the verb 'disse'.
- Onde se encontram os melhores livros?
Where are the best books found?
Word by Word: Where themselves find the best books?
The adverb 'Onde' triggers proclisis for the reflexive/passive pronoun 'se'.
- Não sei como o conheceste.
I don't know how you met him.
Word by Word: Not I-know how him you-met.
This is an indirect question. The word 'como' still attracts the pronoun 'o' to the front of the verb.
- Por que me ligaste tão tarde?
Why did you call me so late?
Word by Word: For what me you-called so late?
'Por que' acts as the attractor for the pronoun 'me'.
- Quando nos visitam?
When are they visiting us?
Word by Word: When us they-visit?
The interrogative 'Quando' pulls 'nos' to the pre-verbal position.
Common Mistakes
Using enclisis (pronoun after verb) in European Portuguese after a question word.
Quem disse-te isso?Quem te disse isso?Even though European Portuguese prefers enclisis, the question word 'Quem' makes proclisis mandatory.
Forgetting the attraction in indirect questions.
Perguntei onde viu-o.Perguntei onde o viu.The word 'onde' attracts the pronoun even when it's not a direct question.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand proclisis with question words, you first need to recognize the question words themselves (quem, onde, como) and the object pronouns being moved. This pattern is a specific rule within the broader concept of pronoun placement (proclisis) in Portuguese.
Related Patterns
- que/quem/onde/quando/como/quanto/por queQuestion Words
These are the specific words that trigger the pronoun attraction rule.
Foundations - não + Pronoun + VerbProclisis with Negation
Negation is another major 'attractor' that forces the pronoun to the front, similar to question words.
Level 2 - me/te/o/a/nos/vos/os/asDirect Object Pronouns
These are the direct object pronouns that are moved by the interrogative attractors.
Level 1 - Brazilian vs European Clitic Placement
Explains the regional preferences for pronoun placement and why this rule is especially important in European Portuguese.
Level 3 - Indirect Questions
Explains how questions can be embedded in statements, which still triggers the proclisis rule.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice quem/onde/como + Pronoun + Verb in Bubblegum
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