que/quando/se + Pronoun + Verb

Proclisis with Subordinating Conjunctions

Level 3

In Portuguese, certain 'magnetic' words force object pronouns (me, te, se, nos, o, a, lhe) to appear before the verb. This is called proclisis. Subordinating conjunctions are the most common triggers for this rule.

How It Works

In standard Portuguese, the placement of clitic pronouns is governed by specific rules. While European Portuguese often defaults to placing the pronoun after the verb (enclisis), and Brazilian Portuguese often defaults to placing it before (proclisis), both variants strictly require proclisis in the presence of subordinating conjunctions.

Key Triggers:

  • que (that/which): Espero que me ajudes.
  • quando (when): Avisarei quando se decidirem.
  • se (if): Se nos virem, estamos perdidos.
  • porque (because): Fiz isso porque te amo.
  • embora (although): Embora se sinta mal, ele veio.

The Infinitive Exception:
It is important to note that this mandatory rule only applies to finite (conjugated) verbs. When the verb is in the infinitive, the placement of the pronoun is optional (facultative). For example, both para te ajudar and para ajudar-te are grammatically correct, even though para acts as a trigger.

This rule is essential to become proficient in formal writing and standard speech. It applies to all finite verbs unless there is a clear pause (like a comma) between the conjunction and the verb, which may weaken the 'magnetic' pull.

Examples (5)

  1. Espero que se sinta melhor amanhã.

    I hope that you feel better tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I hope that [yourself] feel better tomorrow.

    The conjunction 'que' triggers proclisis, pulling 'se' before the verb 'sinta'.

  2. Ele me ligará quando se lembrar.

    He will call me when he remembers.

    Word by Word: He me will-call when [himself] remember.

    The conjunction 'quando' attracts the reflexive pronoun 'se' to the position before 'lembrar'.

  3. Se nos ajudares, terminaremos cedo.

    If you help us, we will finish early.

    Word by Word: If us [you] help, we-will-finish early.

    The conjunction 'se' (if) forces the pronoun 'nos' to appear before the verb.

  4. Não fui à festa porque me esqueci.

    I didn't go to the party because I forgot.

    Word by Word: Not I-went to-the party because [myself] I-forgot.

    The causal conjunction 'porque' acts as an attractive word for the pronoun 'me'.

  5. Embora o conheça, não confio nele.

    Although I know him, I don't trust him.

    Word by Word: Although him [I] know, not I-trust in-him.

    The concessive conjunction 'embora' triggers proclisis for the direct object pronoun 'o'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using enclisis (pronoun after verb) after 'que' in formal contexts.

    Quero que faças-me um favor.
    Quero que me faças um favor.

    In standard Portuguese, 'que' is a strong attractor. Placing the pronoun after the verb here is grammatically incorrect.

  • Forgetting that 'quando' and 'se' are also attractors.

    Quando vi-te, fiquei feliz.
    Quando te vi, fiquei feliz.

    Learners often focus only on 'que', but all subordinating conjunctions like 'quando' require the pronoun to come first.

How It Connects

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que/quando/se + Pronoun + VerbLevel 3Proclisis with Subordinating Conjunctions

Learn This First

To understand why pronouns move before the verb in these contexts, you first need to be comfortable with object pronouns and the basic concept of proclisis (placing pronouns before the verb). You also need to recognize the specific conjunctions (que, quando, se) that trigger this grammatical attraction.

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Words in This Pattern

quando