Introduction
The infinitivo pessoal is a unique and very useful feature of Portuguese grammar that often puzzles English speakers. It lets verbs in the infinitive change to agree with a subject, adding clarity and flexibility in sentences with multiple subjects. This article explains how and when to use the personal infinitive in Brazilian Portuguese with clear rules, examples, and practical notes.
- What is the infinitivo pessoal?
- Basic formation and endings
- When to use the infinitivo pessoal
- Comparing with the personal infinitive and other moods
- Practical patterns and frequent expressions
- Subject pronouns and omission
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Usage notes and register
- Examples in natural Brazilian Portuguese
- Quick reference table (verbal patterns)
- Conclusion
What is the infinitivo pessoal?
The infinitivo pessoal is a form of the verb in which the infinitive takes endings to agree with a subject, similar to conjugated verbs but retaining infinitive meaning. English has no direct equivalent, which is why learners often find it odd. Instead of saying to go for everyone, Portuguese can say irmos, thus combining the infinitive idea with subject agreement.
Why Portuguese uses it
Portuguese uses the infinitivo pessoal to disambiguate who performs an action in subordinate structures, especially after prepositions, verbs, or expressions that govern an infinitive. It is common in written and spoken Brazilian Portuguese and appears in constructions where multiple subjects or agents are implied.
Basic formation and endings
The endings for the infinitivo pessoal are added to the verb stem. For regular verbs, use these endings:
– eu: -r (unchanged) for first person singular
– tu: -res
– ele/ela/você: -r (unchanged for third person singular)
– nós: -rmos
– vós: -rdes (rare in Brazilian Portuguese)
– eles/elas/vocês: -rem
Examples with regular verbs:
falar (to speak): falar, falares, falar, falarmos, falardes, falarem
comer (to eat): comer, comeres, comer, comermos, comerdes, comerem
partir (to leave): partir, partires, partir, partirmos, partirdes, partirem
Notes on irregular verbs
Most irregular verbs keep the infinitive stem and take the same personal endings. For example:
ser: ser, seres, ser, sermos, serdes, serem
ir: ir, ires, ir, irmos, irdes, irem
ter: ter, teres, ter, termos, terdes, terem
Some verbs may have stem changes in other moods, but for the infinitivo pessoal the base infinitive is generally retained.
When to use the infinitivo pessoal
Use the infinitivo pessoal in these common situations:
1. After prepositions when the subject of the infinitive is explicit or different from the main clause subject.
2. After verbs that govern infinitives when the agent of the infinitive differs from the main clause subject.
3. In temporal and conditional subordinate clauses introduced by para, sem, antes de, depois de, ao, dentre others when the subject needs to be specified.
4. In indirect speech or reported statements where different subjects perform actions in subordinate clauses.
Examples after prepositions
When the subject of the action after a preposition is different, Portuguese often uses the infinitivo pessoal to show who performs that action.
É importante para todos participarem da reunião.
Here, participarem shows that all of them must participate.
Ele saiu sem dizer adeus.
No change: dizer is general because no different subject is specified.
Examples after verbs
Verbs that take infinitives can require the infinitivo pessoal when the subjects differ.
Quero que vocês virem cedo is incorrect. Use Quero que vocês venham cedo for the subjunctive or prefiro vocês virem cedo if using the infinitive form to emphasize quem.
Prefiro vocês virem cedo. shows the preference directed at vocês as the agents of virem.
Ela mandou os alunos estudarem mais. indicates that the students are the ones who should study.
Comparing with the personal infinitive and other moods
The infinitivo pessoal differs from the infinitivo impessoal and the subjuntivo.
Infinitivo impessoal: the plain infinitive with no agreement, used when the subject is general or unknown. Example: É bom estudar. (It is good to study in general.)
Infinitivo pessoal: used when you want to show who performs the action. Example: É bom estudarmos para a prova. (It is good that we study for the test.)
Subjuntivo: used in subordinate clauses with certain triggers, often expressing doubt, desire, emotion. Example: Espero que vocês estudem. (I hope you study.)
How to choose between them
Ask whether the subject of the infinitive is the same as the main clause subject or needs to be explicit. If explicit or different, prefer the infinitivo pessoal. If general, use the impersonal infinitive or the subjuntive depending on the main verb and nuance.
Practical patterns and frequent expressions
Here are several common constructions where the personal infinitive appears often.
After para and sem
Use the infinitivo pessoal when the subject of the following verb is specific or different.
Para nós terminarmos o projeto, precisaremos trabalhar mais.
Sem você aparecer, não começaremos a reunião.
After antes de and depois de
These temporal connectors often need the personal infinitive when the subject is explicit.
Antes de irmos embora, vamos revisar tudo.
Depois de eles chegarem, almoçaremos.
With verbs of perception and causation
After verbs like deixar, mandar, fazer, dizer, and ver, the personal infinitive clarifies the doer.
Ela deixou os filhos brincarem no quintal.
O professor fez os alunos escreverem uma redação.
Subject pronouns and omission
When using the infinitivo pessoal, subject pronouns are optional but can be included for emphasis or clarity. In Brazilian Portuguese, subject pronouns are frequently omitted because verb forms already indicate the subject.
Queremos participar vs Nós queremos participar are both correct; with the personal infinitive: É melhor nós fazermos isso hoje. Emphasis on nós makes the agent clearer.
Using pronouns can be natural when contrasting agents: Ele quer que eu vá, mas prefere que tu vás. Conversely, O objetivo é nós chegarmos cedo uses nós optionally to stress who should arrive early.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
English speakers often make certain predictable errors. Here are the most frequent and how to fix them.
Mistake: Leaving the infinitive impersonal when the subject is different, causing ambiguity.
Fix: Use the infinitivo pessoal to match the intended subject. Example: Eles pediram para eu ficar becomes Eles pediram para eu ficar or more naturally Eles pediram que eu ficasse if using subjunctive; however, after para, prefer Eu pedi para ficar? If you mean they asked for my staying, use Eles pediram que eu ficasse (subjunctive) or Eles pediram para eu ficar (colloquial). Brazilian Portuguese often accepts para eu ficar with the impersonal form with pronoun insertion, but the personal infinitive is clearer in other structures.
Mistake: Confusing subjunctive and personal infinitive.
Fix: Use the subjunctive when triggered by verbs expressing doubt, desire, or emotion in subordinate clauses introduced by que. Use the infinitivo pessoal when the structure calls for an infinitive and the subject of that action is different or should be highlighted.
Usage notes and register
The infinitivo pessoal is common in written and formal Portuguese, but it is also widely used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. In informal conversation, speakers sometimes use simpler constructions or the subjunctive depending on the verb. In Portugal, the personal infinitive is used as well, sometimes more frequently in formal registers.
For learners, mastering the infinitivo pessoal improves clarity and comprehension, especially in texts, news, and formal speech. It also helps in understanding sequences of actions and who performs each action.
Stylistic tips
1. When writing, prefer the infinitivo pessoal to avoid ambiguity about subjects in complex sentences.
2. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, listen for common patterns like para nós fazermos, sem eles saberem, and antes de irmos.
3. When unsure, rephrase: you can often use a subordinate clause with que + subjunctive to express the same idea, though nuance may differ.
Examples in natural Brazilian Portuguese
Vou listar a seguir exemplos práticos com tradução implícita no contexto para facilitar a compreensão.
É melhor nós sairmos agora para pegar o ônibus.
Ela pediu para eu terminar o relatório até sexta.
Eles prometem voltar antes de terminarmos a obra.
Sem vocês entenderem as regras, não jogaremos o jogo.
Mandaram os vizinhos cortarem a grama antes da festa.
Espero vê-los quando chegarem ao Brasil.
Para mim, é essencial descansarmos no fim de semana.
Quick reference table (verbal patterns)
Here is a compact guide to help you spot when the personal infinitive is likely appropriate:
After para, sem, antes de, depois de, ao + verb — use the infinitivo pessoal if subject differs.
After verbs like mandar, deixar, fazer, pedir — use the infinitivo pessoal to show the agent.
After expressions of necessity, obligation, advice with an explicit subject — consider the infinitivo pessoal.
Conclusion
Mastering the infinitivo pessoal gives you precision when expressing actions by different agents and improves both comprehension and expression in Brazilian Portuguese. Remember the endings, the common contexts (prepositions, verbs of causation, temporal connectors), and the difference from the impersonal infinitive and the subjunctive. Practice noticing it in real sentences and gradually incorporate it into your speech and writing for clearer, more natural Portuguese.
