pronoun placement question
As I understand it, when a verb in its infinitive form (call it verb 'b') follows another ('a'), then if 'b' is pronominal, its associated pronoun must be attached to the end, it can't go before 'a'.
If however 'b' is in present participle form, making a progressive tense construct, is this also the case? I've seen examples where it's not, and I just wanted to confirm?
The other question is, if there is no strict pronominal verb function, but the pronoun is part of a more generic reflexive construct, does the same restriction apply?
1 Answer
Odd coincidence. I was just discussing that with Paralee last night.
We were discussing whether the reflexive pronoun had to be attached to the end of an infinitive or the present participle (gerundio) like it must be for an affirmative command.
(What we were discussing is whether the rule was different for relative object pronouns than for the dative and accusative object pronouns.)
I found this article that discussed each of the 3 types of object pronouns separately.
direct object pronouns
indirect object pronouns
reflexive object pronouns
similar article discussing optional placement
Note that these are for compound verbs uses. You lose the options with single verb forms.
