C1 (Advanced)Lesson 7: Literary & Formal Grammar
Mesoclisis is the insertion of object pronouns into the middle of future and conditional verb forms, splitting the infinitive from its ending to create ultra-formal constructions like "dir-lhe-ei" (I will tell you) and "far-se-ia" (it would be done), used almost exclusively in formal writing, legal documents, and literary texts.
Mesoclisis = pronoun sandwich in the middle of future/conditional verbs
Split the verb: infinitive + -pronoun- + ending
Future: dir-lhe-ei, far-se-á, ter-nos-emos
Conditional: dar-lhe-ia, ver-se-iam, pôr-me-ia
Super formal - newspapers, legal docs, academic writing
Never used in speech - Brazilians say "vai se fazer" or "se fará" instead
Only with unstressed pronouns: me, te, se, lhe, nos, vos, o, a, os, as
Can't use when sentence starts with negative, question words, or certain adverbs
Think mesoclisis is just grammar torture? Think again – this construction appears in every formal contract you'll sign, every classic Brazilian novel you'll read, and every fancy government document that lands in your mailbox! While no Brazilian would ever say "realizar-se-á" at a bar (they'd say "vai se realizar"), you'll see it in newspaper headlines, legal notices, and CELPE-Bras exams. Master this, and you'll decode the formal Portuguese that makes even native speakers pause – plus, you'll nail those B2/C1 writing assessments where examiners love seeing proper mesoclisis!
infinitive stem + hyphen + pronoun + hyphen + future/conditional ending (falar + se + á = falar-se-á)
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The word "mesoclisis" comes from Greek: "meso" (middle) + "klisis" (inclination). It's literally putting pronouns in the middle of verbs – but only in future and conditional tenses. Think of it as performing surgery on a verb, opening it up to insert a pronoun, then stitching it back together with hyphens.
Here's how to perform mesoclisis:
Take a future or conditional form
Separate the infinitive from its ending
Insert the pronoun with hyphens
Reconnect everything
"Realizar-se-á a assembleia no dia 15" (The assembly will take place on the 15th)
"Far-se-ão os pagamentos mediante apresentação" (Payments will be made upon presentation)
"Aplicar-se-á multa de 2%" (A 2% fine will be applied)
"Dar-se-á publicidade ao edital" (The edict will be made public)
"Proceder-se-á à votação" (The voting will proceed)
"Encontrar-se-ão hoje ministros do G20" (G20 ministers will meet today)
"Anunciar-se-á novo pacote econômico" (New economic package will be announced)
"Dir-se-ia impossível, mas aconteceu" (One would say impossible, but it happened)
"Decidir-se-á futuro da empresa" (Company's future will be decided)
Remember: certain words force the pronoun before the verb, killing mesoclisis:
Negatives: Não se realizará (never: realizar-se-á)
Question words: Quando se fará? Como se diria?
Relatives: O evento que se realizará
Certain adverbs: Já se falará, Sempre se diria, Talvez se faça
Students often try mesoclisis with compound futures – don't!
❌ "Ter-se-á feito" (WRONG - this isn't mesoclisis)
✅ "Ter-se-á" or "Se terá feito" (RIGHT)
The auxiliary verb (ter/haver) takes mesoclisis, not the participle
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