Differences between Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 12 views

Introduction

The Portuguese language has a complex grammar system, with various forms of verbs that can be used to express different tenses, moods, and voices. Two of the most important forms of verbs in Portuguese are the Infinitivo Pessoal (Personal Infinitive) and the Infinitivo Impessoal (Impessoal Infinitive). In this article, we will explore the definition, usage, and differences between these two forms of infinitives in Portuguese.

What is Infinitivo Pessoal (Personal Infinitive)?

The Infinitivo Pessoal (Personal Infinitive) is a form of the verb that is used to express a personal action or intention. It is formed by adding the suffix -r to the infinitive form of the verb, followed by the pronoun eu (I) or você (you). The Personal Infinitive is used to express a personal opinion, intention, or desire.

Example sentences:

Eu quero falar (to speak) com você. (I want to speak with you.)
Você quer (wants) ir (to go) ao cinema? (Do you want to go to the cinema?)

What is Infinitivo Impessoal (Impessoal Infinitive)?

The Infinitivo Impessoal (Impessoal Infinitive) is a form of the verb that is used to express an impersonal action or fact. It is formed by adding the suffix -r to the infinitive form of the verb, without the pronoun eu (I) or você (you). The Impessoal Infinitive is used to express a general truth, a fact, or a situation.

Example sentences:

É importante estudar (to study) para se preparar para a prova. (It is important to study to prepare for the exam.)
É difícil falar (to speak) em público. (It is difficult to speak in public.)

Differences between Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal

The main difference between the Infinitivo Pessoal and the Infinitivo Impessoal is the use of the pronoun eu (I) or você (you) in the Personal Infinitive. The Impessoal Infinitive does not use the pronoun, and is used to express an impersonal action or fact.

Example sentences:

Eu quero (want) falar (to speak) com você. (I want to speak with you.) - Personal Infinitive
É importante falar (to speak) com alguém. (It is important to speak with someone.) - Impessoal Infinitive

When to use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal

The Infinitivo Pessoal is used to express a personal opinion, intention, or desire, while the Infinitivo Impessoal is used to express an impersonal action or fact.

Example sentences:

Eu quero (want) ir (to go) ao cinema. (I want to go to the cinema.) - Personal Infinitive
É importante ir (to go) ao cinema. (It is important to go to the cinema.) - Impessoal Infinitive

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Infinitivo Pessoal and the Infinitivo Impessoal are two important forms of infinitives in Portuguese grammar. The Personal Infinitive is used to express a personal action or intention, while the Impessoal Infinitive is used to express an impersonal action or fact. Understanding the differences between these two forms of infinitives is essential to communicate effectively in Portuguese.

Practice Exercises

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the infinitive:

Eu _______ (to study) para se preparar para a prova.
É importante _______ (to speak) com alguém.

Identify the type of infinitive used in the following sentences:

Eu quero falar (to speak) com você.
É importante falar (to speak) com alguém.

Glossary

Infinitivo Pessoal: a form of the verb that is used to express a personal action or intention.
Infinitivo Impessoal: a form of the verb that is used to express an impersonal action or fact.
Eu: the pronoun "I" in Portuguese.
Você: the pronoun "you" in Portuguese.
Quero: the verb "to want" in Portuguese.
Ir: the verb "to go" in Portuguese.
Falar: the verb "to speak" in Portuguese.
Estudar: the verb "to study" in Portuguese.
Frequently Asked Questions about Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal ====================================================================

Q: What is the difference between Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal?

A: The main difference between Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal is the use of the pronoun "eu" (I) or "você" (you) in the Personal Infinitive. The Impessoal Infinitive does not use the pronoun, and is used to express an impersonal action or fact.

Q: When should I use Infinitivo Pessoal?

A: You should use Infinitivo Pessoal to express a personal action or intention, such as a desire, a plan, or a decision.

Q: When should I use Infinitivo Impessoal?

A: You should use Infinitivo Impessoal to express an impersonal action or fact, such as a general truth, a fact, or a situation.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal interchangeably?

A: No, you should not use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal interchangeably. The choice of infinitive depends on the context and the meaning you want to convey.

Q: How do I form Infinitivo Pessoal?

A: To form Infinitivo Pessoal, you add the suffix "-r" to the infinitive form of the verb, followed by the pronoun "eu" (I) or "você" (you).

Q: How do I form Infinitivo Impessoal?

A: To form Infinitivo Impessoal, you add the suffix "-r" to the infinitive form of the verb, without the pronoun "eu" (I) or "você" (you).

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in the same sentence?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in the same sentence, but you should use them correctly to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence?

A: To determine which infinitive to use, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in formal writing?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in formal writing, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in informal writing?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in informal writing, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I practice using Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal?

A: You can practice using Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal by completing exercises, such as filling in the blanks with the correct infinitive, or by writing short paragraphs using both infinitives.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in spoken Portuguese?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in spoken Portuguese, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know if I am using Infinitivo Pessoal or Infinitivo Impessoal correctly?

A: To determine if you are using Infinitivo Pessoal or Infinitivo Impessoal correctly, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in academic writing?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in academic writing, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in business writing?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in business writing, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with multiple clauses?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with multiple clauses, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with subordinate clauses?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with subordinate clauses, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a conditional clause?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with a conditional clause, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a hypothetical clause?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a hypothetical clause, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a relative clause?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with a relative clause, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a participial clause?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a participial clause, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a gerund clause?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with a gerund clause, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a subordinate clause and a main clause?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a subordinate clause and a main clause, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a complex sentence?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with a complex sentence, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a compound sentence?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a compound sentence, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a compound-complex sentence?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a sentence with a compound-complex sentence, you should consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. If you are expressing a personal action or intention, use Infinitivo Pessoal. If you are expressing an impersonal action or fact, use Infinitivo Impessoal.

Q: Can I use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a relative clause and a main clause?

A: Yes, you can use Infinitivo Pessoal and Infinitivo Impessoal in sentences with a relative clause and a main clause, but you should use them correctly and consistently to avoid confusion.

Q: How do I know which infinitive to use in a sentence with a participial clause and a main clause?

A: To determine which infinitive to use in a