The preposition com (comigo, contigo)

The preposition com

To say you are doing something "with" someone or something, use the preposition com. You will often use it as the opposite of doing things alone (sozinho).

I prefer to travel with the family, not alone.
Prefiro viajar com a família, não sozinho.
The girl goes to the concert with the director's friend.
A rapariga vai ao concerto com o amigo do diretor.

Special pronoun forms: comigo and contigo

When com is followed by certain personal pronouns, the two words merge into a single, special word.

  • comigo = with me
  • contigo = with you (informal singular)
Do you want to have lunch with me today?
Queres almoçar comigo hoje?
I want to go for a walk with you.
Quero passear contigo.

Formal you and us: consigo and connosco

There are two more combined forms that are highly common in everyday conversations:

  • consigo = with you (formal singular)
  • connosco = with us

Use consigo when speaking to someone politely (such as a boss or someone you would address as você).

The boss cannot speak with you.
O chefe não pode falar consigo.
She is going to the concert with us.
Ela vai ao concerto connosco.

Making invitations

These joined pronouns are especially useful when inviting (convidar) people to a gathering, such as a casual meeting (o encontro) or a meal.

I have to invite the group. Do you want to go to the meeting with me?
Tenho de convidar o grupo. Queres ir ao encontro comigo?
We have to invite the women. They can have lunch with us.
Temos de convidar as mulheres. Elas podem almoçar connosco.

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