The Personal Infinitive
European Portuguese has a unique inflected infinitive that carries person and number agreement. It is widely used in subordinate clauses and is one of the most distinctive features of the language.
PortuStories Editorial
European Portuguese Grammar Guide
The personal infinitive (infinitivo pessoal) is an infinitive form conjugated to agree with its subject. It exists in European Portuguese and Galician but not in most other Romance languages.
| Person | Ending | Falar |
|---|---|---|
| eu | — | falar |
| tu | -es | falares |
| ele/ela/você | — | falar |
| nós | -mos | falarmos |
| vós | -des | falardes |
| eles/elas/vocês | -em | falarem |
Use the personal infinitive when the infinitive clause has its own distinct subject, especially after prepositions: para, sem, por, antes de, depois de, ao.
Para eles perceberem, é preciso explicar devagar.
For them to understand, it is necessary to explain slowly.
Saímos sem eles saberem.
We left without them knowing.
Depois de chegares, liga-me.
After you arrive, call me.
When the infinitive clause shares its subject with the main clause, the plain infinitive is fine. The personal infinitive is essential when the subjects differ.
Common Mistake
Para eles perceber a lição…
Para eles perceberem a lição…
A stated plural subject (eles) requires the personal infinitive ending -em.
From a PortuStories Story
O professor pediu para os alunos abrirem os livros na página dez.
The teacher asked the students to open their books to page ten.