Pronouns

Question 1

What are the subject pronouns in Portuguese?

Answer 1

• eu
• tu (pt), voce (br)
• ele, ela
• nós
• (vós), voces
• eles, elas

Question 2

When is the subject pronoun used in Portuguese?

Answer 2

the subject pronoun is usually omitted but must be specified whenever there is doubt as to whom the verb refers to.

Question 3

What are the direct object pronouns (DOP) in Portuguese?

Answer 3

• me
• te
• o, a
• nos
• vos
• os, as

Question 4

When does the direct object pronoun go after the verb in Portuguese?

Answer 4

In simple afirmative declarative sentences and in questions not introduced by an interrogative word, the direct object pronoun follows the verb and linked by a hyphen

Question 5

When does the direct object pronoun precede the verb?

Answer 5

• in negative sentences
• with interrogative questions
• After coordinating conjunctions and most subordinating conjunctions
• following adverbs (except sempre), adjectives or pronouns

Question 6

How does the verb structure change for the direct object pronoun when using future and conditional tense?

Answer 6

the direct object pronoun is placed between the verb
stem and the ending. e.g. “Essa decisão levá-lo-á à ruína”

Question 7

How and when does the direct object pronoun formation change?

Answer 7

the pronoun can gain an -l or an -n, becoming -lo, -la, -los, -las or -no, -na, nos, -nas when…
* the verbal form ends in consonants -r, -s or -z, e.g. “Perdemos os óculos. Perdêmo-los hoje.”
* the verbal form ends in nasal sounds -n/ -m they change to -no, -na, -nos, -nas

Question 8

How and when does the direct object pronoun formation stay the same?

Answer 8

The pronoun remains o, a, os, as when…
* the verbal form ends in a vowel or an oral diphthong, e.g. “Mas o João comeu-o todo sozinho.”

Question 9

What happens to the DOP if the verb ends in a nasal sound (n/m)?

Answer 9

the pronouns -o, -a, -os, -as change into -no, -na, nos, -nas

Question 10

What is the subject?

Answer 10

The thing doing the action

Question 11

What is the direct object?

Answer 11

The thing being directly affected by the action

Question 12

What is the indirect object?

Answer 12

To whom or for whom the action is being done e.g. I gave her a book

Question 13

What are the indirect object pronouns in Portuguese?

Answer 13

• me
• te
• lhe
• nos
• vos
• lhes