Introduction
Many learners of Brazilian Portuguese hear native speakers say vocês é and wonder if that is correct. This article explains why vocês é is considered wrong in standard Portuguese, what forms are correct, and how verb agreement works with second person plural pronouns in Brazil. Clear examples and cultural notes will help you recognize and avoid this common mistake.
- What is vocês é and where does it come from?
- Standard grammar: subject-verb agreement in Portuguese
- Why do some Brazilians say vocês é?
- Formal vs informal registers: when to avoid vocês é
- How to form correct sentences with vocês
- Negation and questions with vocês
- Compare with other plural forms: vocês vs nós vs eles
- Regional variations and important cultural notes
- How to correct or respond when you hear vocês é
- Common verb pairs and useful phrases with vocês
- Summary: rules to remember
- Conclusion
What is vocês é and where does it come from?
Vocês é combines the plural pronoun vocês with the singular verb form é (from the verb ser). Grammatically, vocês is the second person plural subject, so it requires a plural verb form such as são for the verb ser: vocês são. Despite this rule, you will sometimes hear vocês é in informal Brazilian speech.
There are a few reasons people use vocês é in spoken language. One reason is regional variation and colloquial speech patterns where the verb does not always fully agree in number. Another reason is influence from constructions using a singular third person, such as quando se usa a forma impessoal or the use of você historically replacing tu in many regions. Over time, fast casual speech can blend forms and produce nonstandard concordances like vocês é.
Standard grammar: subject-verb agreement in Portuguese
Portuguese requires subject-verb agreement in person and number. For the verb ser in the present indicative, the conjugation is eu sou, tu és, ele/ela/você é, nós somos, vós sois, eles/elas/vocês são. Because vocês corresponds to third person plural in conjugation (though it functions as second person plural in meaning), the correct form is vocês são, not vocês é.
For verbs in general, match the verb ending to the pronoun. Examples with regular verbs show the pattern clearly:
falar (to speak): eu falo
tu falas
ele/ela/você fala
nós falamos
eles/elas/vocês falam
Notice that with vocês you use the same ending as eles/elas: vocês falam, vocês vão, vocês fazem. Using a singular form like é or fala with vocês breaks the agreement rule.
Why do some Brazilians say vocês é?
Although vocês é is nonstandard, it appears in spoken Brazilian Portuguese for sociolinguistic reasons:
1. Regional dialects: Certain regions have strong colloquial patterns where verb agreement is less strictly observed, especially in rapid speech.
2. Simplification: Speakers may generalize the common singular form é from frequent use with você and apply it to vocês.
3. Informality and economy: In casual conversation, people often prioritize ease of speech over prescriptive grammar rules.
4. Language change: Spoken norms can shift over time, and some forms spread through popular media or social networks despite being considered incorrect in formal registers.
Formal vs informal registers: when to avoid vocês é
If your goal is clear, correct Portuguese for writing, formal speech, academic contexts, job interviews, or language exams, always avoid vocês é. Use vocês são and appropriate plural verb forms. Native speakers expect this in formal registers and written communication.
In informal spoken contexts with close friends or in specific regions, you might hear vocês é. Even then, many speakers notice it as colloquial or substandard. As a learner, prefer the standard form so you communicate accurately and avoid marking yourself as nonstandard or uneducated.
How to form correct sentences with vocês
The safest strategy is to memorize the plural verb endings and practice common verbs with vocês. Here are examples with different verbs in the present indicative:
ser: vocês são
ir: vocês vão
fazer: vocês fazem
comer: vocês comem
dizer: vocês dizem
Use these constructions in full sentences:
Vocês são muito gentis.
Vocês vão ao cinema amanhã?
Vocês fazem exercícios todos os dias.
Vocês comem feijoada no sábado.
Vocês dizem a verdade.
Negation and questions with vocês
The rules for negation and question formation are the same as with other pronouns. Place não before the verb for negation, and invert or add question intonation for questions.
Negation examples:
Vocês não são responsáveis por isso.
Vocês não vão participar da reunião.
Vocês não fazem a lição de casa.
Question examples:
Vocês são brasileiros? (yes/no question)
Vocês vão ao jogo hoje? (intonation question)
Vocês fazem essas atividades sozinhos? (information question)
Compare with other plural forms: vocês vs nós vs eles
Understanding how vocês relates to other pronouns helps avoid errors. Each pronoun has its own verb agreement:
nós + verb in first person plural: nós somos, nós vamos, nós fazemos.
eles/elas + verb in third person plural: eles são, elas vão, eles fazem.
vocês aligns with eles/elas in verb form: vocês são, vocês vão, vocês fazem.
Confusion often comes from informal pronoun shifts. For example, where English uses you for both singular and plural, Portuguese normally distinguishes between singular você and plural vocês in terms of verb agreement. Learn the plural endings and practice them in context.
Regional variations and important cultural notes
Brazil is linguistically diverse. In the South and parts of the Northeast, older generations may use tu and regional conjugations for second person singular. In many urban areas, você is the more common singular you, and vocês is the plural. Even in regions where colloquial variants occur, media, education, and formal communication use standard agreement.
Cultural note: If you mimic colloquial speech like vocês é to sound local, you risk sounding inauthentic unless you are well integrated into that speech community. For learners, using standard forms demonstrates respect and competence and avoids unintended offense.
How to correct or respond when you hear vocês é
If you hear vocês é in conversation, context matters. In informal settings, most Brazilians will not object. If you want to correct politely in a classroom or learning environment, provide the standard form and a brief explanation:
Instead of saying Vocês é, the correct form is Vocês são because vocês requires a plural verb form.
Avoid correcting strangers in casual conversation; prefer asking for clarification if you are unsure. Native speakers often accept both forms in relaxed contexts, but teachers and formal settings will insist on the standard agreement.
Common verb pairs and useful phrases with vocês
Here are practical phrases you will use often. Memorize these to build a natural plural usage habit:
Vocês estão prontos?
Vocês podem me ajudar?
Vocês conhecem esse restaurante?
Vocês gostam de música brasileira?
Vocês trabalham aqui?
These examples show auxiliary verbs and modal verbs combined with vocês. Notice the plural conjugation: estão, podem, conhecem, gostam, trabalham. Repeating these patterns will make correct agreement feel automatic.
Summary: rules to remember
1. Always match the verb number to the pronoun. Vocês takes plural verb forms like são, vão, fazem.
2. Vocês é is nonstandard and should be avoided in writing and formal speech.
3. Informal speech may include nonstandard forms; be aware but choose standard forms as a learner.
4. Practice common verbs with vocês to internalize plural endings.
Conclusion
Using vocês são instead of vocês é ensures correct subject-verb agreement in Brazilian Portuguese. While you may hear vocês é in informal speech or certain regions, standard grammar requires plural verb forms with vocês. Practice with common verbs and phrases, pay attention to register, and prioritize the standard forms in formal and written contexts to communicate clearly and confidently.
