The ordering of clausal constituents in Portuguese varieties is treated here considering three content frames recognized in FDG model, thetic, presentative and categorical. The clausal linearization reflects decisions taken in the formulation of the Interpersonal Level and predominantly represents Topic-oriented content frame in which the constituent in the Topic function occupies the position P I, the verb, the P M position, and other remaining constituents occupy the left and right positions of P M. Thetic constructions, whose whole clause performs focal and topical function, occupies the P F area, while presentative constructions have the grammatical word 'copula' taking the absolute position P M and the Topic/Focus Noun phrase taking the P F position.
Word order; thetic construction; presentative construction; categorical construction
