To emphasize the object of a sentence, you can move it to the very beginning.
Emphasizing the Topic
Bring the object to the front of the sentence and follow it with a comma. Then, continue with the rest of the sentence, adding a direct object pronoun (o, a, os, as) to refer back to the item. You are essentially saying, "The belongings, I look for them."
In standard affirmative sentences, attach this pronoun to the end of the verb with a hyphen.
| The belongings, I look for them in the lost and found. | Os pertences, procuro-os nos perdidos e achados. |
| The oversight, I admit it immediately. | O esquecimento, eu admito-o imediatamente. |
Infinitives and the -lo / -la Forms
If the pronoun attaches to an infinitive (ending in -r), drop the final -r and change the pronoun to -lo, -la, -los, or -las. You will also usually add a written accent to the final vowel of the verb to maintain its original stress.
| The wallet, you must hand it in at the lost and found. | A carteira, deves entregá-la nos perdidos e achados. |
| The theft, the video managed to prove it. | O roubo, o vídeo conseguiu comprová-lo. |
Pronouns Before the Verb
Moving the object to the front does not change the normal rules for pronoun placement. If the sentence contains a "trigger" word that pulls the pronoun before the verb—such as the negative não or expressions like oxalá—the pronoun goes immediately before the verb instead of attaching to the end.
| The specific value, I do not know how to describe it. | O valor específico, não o sei descrever. |
| The reward, I hope the receptionist hands it over. | A recompensa, oxalá a rececionista a entregue. |