Portuguese Verb Regimes: A Comprehensive Guide
Portuguese Verb Regimes
Verbs
ASPIRAR (to breathe in, inhale) = VTD
How good it is to breathe in fresh mountain air!
How good to sniff it.
ASPIRAR (to desire, want) = VTI + (preposition)
Many aspire to the position of judge.
Note
The pronoun “it” can only be used for things, not people. For example:
- Many aspire to you = WRONG
- Many aspire to it = CORRECT
ASSISTIR (to watch, see) = VTI + (preposition)
I watched the Palmeiras games.
Note
It admits the pronoun “them.”
- Watched them = WRONG
- I saw them = CORRECT
ASSISTIR (to help, assist) = (VTD preferable) or VTI
The doctor saw the patient.
The doctor saw the patient.
ASSISTIR (to live, reside) = VI + (preposition “in”)
My family always lived in Curitiba.
CHAMAR (to call)
Accepts the following constructions:
- They called him crazy.
(call = VTD), (him = DO), (crazy = predicate object) - They called him crazy.
(call = VTD), (him = DO), (crazy = predicate object) - They called him crazy.
(call = VTI) (him = IO), (crazy = predicative of IO) - They called him crazy.
(call = VTI) (him = IO), (crazy = predicative of IO)
CHEGAR / IR + (preposition)
I arrived in Sao Paulo this morning.
I need to go to the supermarket.
CUSTAR (to be costly, difficult)
It cost me to understand the explanation.
(subject = to understand the explanation)
It cost me to understand the explanation.
(subject = to understand the explanation)
It cost them to accept their daughter’s wedding.
(subject = to accept their daughter’s wedding)
It cost them to accept their daughter’s wedding.
(subject = to accept their daughter’s wedding)
Note
It is used in the 3rd person singular, with a clausal subject.
CUSTAR (to carry consequences, cause discomfort) = VTDI
The irresponsibility cost him his job.
(subject = irresponsibility), (cost = VTDI), (him = IO), (job = DO).
ESQUECER / LEMBRAR (to forget / to remember)
Admit the following constructions:
- I forgot her birthday.
(forget = VTD), (her birthday = DO) - I forgot her birthday.
(forget = VTI), (her birthday = IO) - I forgot her birthday.
(her birthday = subject)
Note
When the verb appears without a reflexive pronoun, it is VTD.
- I remembered an important issue.
(remember = VTD), (an important issue = DO) - I remembered an important issue.
(remember = VTI), (an important issue = IO) - An important issue came to mind.
(an important issue = subject)
Note
The complement of the verb remember can be clausal.
I remembered that I have proof tomorrow.
I remembered that I have proof tomorrow.
Note
These verbs (remember and forget), when followed by infinitives, admit the following constructions:
I forgot to close the door.
I forgot to close the door.
I remembered to close the door.
I remembered to close the door.
IMPLICAR (to result in, lead to) = VTD (no preposition)
Professional success requires some sacrifices.
INFORMAR = VTDI
Accepts the following constructions:
- I informed the head of (on the) result of the meeting.
(inform = VTDI), (head = DO), (the outcome of the meeting = IO) - I informed him of (about) the result of the meeting.
(as in the construction above, the boss is the IO, it is replaced by the pronoun “him”) - I informed the chief of the results of the meeting.
(inform = VTDI), (the boss = IO), (the result of the meeting = DO) - I informed him of the outcome of the meeting.
(the head, in the construction above, is the IO, then is replaced by the pronoun “him”)
Note
- I informed the minister that I would arrive late.
- I informed him that he would be late.
- I informed the minister that I had been delayed.
- I informed him that he had been delayed.
COMUNICAR (to communicate)
I informed the minister that I had been delayed.
I informed him that he had been delayed.
NOTE:
Comunicar is an exception to the verbs: to inform, notify, warn, scientific, because the word communicate is VTDI and demands the indirect object as the first complement, requiring the use of a preposition immediately after it.
CUMPRIR / DESOBEDECER (to obey / disobey) = VTI + (preposition)
The boy did not obey his father.
The boy did not obey his mother.
The boy did not obey them.
The boy disobeyed them.
Note
Although they are transitive indirect, they admit the passive voice.
The sergeant’s order was not obeyed by the soldier.
He hates to be disobeyed.
PAGAR (to pay)
Requires a DO for a thing and an IO for a person.
We pay the plumber for the service.
Have you already paid the employees? Have you already paid them?
Have you already paid the debt? Have you already paid it?
PERDOAR (to forgive)
Requires a DO for a thing and an IO for a person.
He forgave the colleague’s debt.
I forgave the enemy. I forgave him.
I forgave the debt. I forgave her.
Note
Although VTI for a person, it admits the IO of the active voice as the subject of the passive voice.
The mother forgave the son. (active voice)
The son was pardoned by his mother. (passive voice)
PRECISAR / NECESSITAR (to need)
In the sense of “to be in need,” it can be transitive direct or indirect.
I need your help.
I need your help.
Note
- They need vendors.
VTI = indefinite subject - They need sellers.
VTD = subject: vendors
PREFERIR (to prefer)
I prefer working to studying.
I prefer Brazil to the United States.
Note
Intensifiers are not accepted, as the verb “preferir” already implies liking something more.
I would much rather work than study = WRONG
PROCEDER (to proceed, carry on) = VTI + (preposition)
Proceed to the examination of evidence.
Proceed to the analysis of the evidence.
QUERER (to want, desire) = VTD
I want this job. I want it.
QUERER (to love, care for) = VTI + (preposition)
She really loved the child. She really loved him/her.
Note the difference:
- I really want to, Fabiana.
(VTD), to want (sexually). - I love you too, Fabiana.
(VTI), meaning to love (romantically).
RESPONDER (to answer, respond)
I did not answer the questionnaire.
I did not answer the question.
He answered the journalist.
He answered the journalist.
SIMPATIZAR / ANTIATIZAR (to like / dislike)
These are pronominal verbs.
I never liked her.
He dislikes me.
VISAR (to aim at) = VTD
The archer aimed at the target.
VISAR (to endorse, sign) = VTD
The police endorsed the passport.
VISAR (to aim for, seek) = VTI + (preposition)
The applicant sought the post of judge.
It aimed for the job of journalist.