Grammar Flashcards
Reflexive Pronouns
If the subject in a sentence performs an action on itself, then the verb is considered to be reflexive, and the pronoun used to receive the action is reflexive.
The singular reflexive pronouns are: me (myself), te (yourself), and se (yourself (formal), himself, herself).
The plural reflexive pronouns are: nos (ourselves), os (yourselves - informal Spain), and se (yourselves, themselves).
Reflexive Verbs
The reflexive pronoun is positioned before the verb when the verb is conjugated (as seen above), but is placed after (and connected to) the verb when the verb is in the infinitive or imperative (giving an order). However, if the infinitive verb is preceded by a separate conjugated verb, then the reflexive pronoun can be positioned first. All of the following sentences are correct:
Antes de vestirme, prendo la luz. (Before getting dressed, I turn on the light.)
¡Vistete! (Get dressed!)
Me puedo calmar. (I can calm down.)
Puedo calmarme. (I can calm down.)
Note: When properly positioned, reflexive pronouns always come before any indirect or direct object pronouns. This can be remembered with the acronym “RID.” Reflexive pronouns come before indirect, which come before direct pronouns.
Reflexive Examples
Reflexive verbs and pronouns are often used in ways that are less straightforward. Consider the following examples.
“Me corté el dedo.” (I cut my finger.) In this case, the object that receives the action is the finger, but also oneself.
“Roberto se cansa.” (Robert is getting tired.) In this case, Robert tires himself by doing some activity or perhaps just going along through the day.
“Me alegro de estar aquí.” (I am glad to be here.) In this case, the subject is gladdening himself due to being somewhere. The use of a reflexive verb to express a feeling is customary in Spanish.
“¿Porqué te vas?” (Why do you leave?) In this case, the reflexive form if the verb ir (to go), is irse (to leave, or go away.) One is causing himself to go away.
Direct Object Pronouns
A direct object is the immediate recipient of a verb’s action or link transferred from the subject.
Consider the sentence, “El encontró la moneda.” (He found the coin.) In this case, la moneda (the coin) is the direct object.
A direct object noun can be replaced by a pronoun. “El la encontró.” (He found it.)
Direct Object Pronouns more
Of course the pronoun must agree in gender and number. In the above example, the pronoun “la” is singular and feminine to agree with la moneda.
The singular direct object prounous are: me (me), te (you-familiar), lo (him, you-male-formal, it-masculine), la (her, you-female-formal, it-feminine), and le (optional alternative to lo when referring to male human beings.)
The plural direct object pronouns are: nos (us), os (you-familar-Spain) los (them-males, you-males, them-masculine), las (them-females, you-females, them-feminine), and les (optional alternative to los when referring to a male or mixed gender group of human beings.)
The direct object pronoun is positioned before the verb when the verb is conjugated (as seen above), but is placed after (and connected to) the verb when the verb is in the infinitive or imperative (giving an order). However, if the infinitive verb is preceded by a separate conjugated verb, then the direct object pronoun can be positioned first.
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect objects generally indicate to whom or for whom is the verb’s action, not the direct recipient of the verb’s action (which is the direct object).
In the sentence, “Ella le envió una carta.” (She sent him/her a letter), the indirect object pronoun is “le” (him or her).
In the sentence, “Nos dieron otra oportunidad.” (They gave us another opportunity), the indirect object pronoun is “nos” (us).
IO Pronouns List
me
me, to me, for me, from me, or less commonly, (in, on, or of me), or possesive
te
you-informal (with all possible variations as seen above)
le (se)
you-formal, him, her, it (with all possible variations as seen above)
nos
us, to us, for us, from us, or less commonly, (in, on, or of us), or possesive
os
you-plural-informal-Spain (with all possible variations as seen above)
les (se)
you-plural, them (with all possible variations as seen above)
More Indirect Pronouns Info
Note: As hinted in the table above, sometimes “se” needs to be substituted for “le” or “les.” This is necessary when “le” or “les” precedes a third person direct object pronoun (ie: those that begin with the letter “L”). For example, if we want to say, “She gave it (the shirt, la camisa) to her,” we cannot say “le la” together, but we can say, “Se la dió.” (She gave it to her.)
The indirect object pronoun is positioned before the verb when the verb is conjugated (as seen above), but is placed after (and connected to) the verb when the verb is in the infinitive or imperative (giving an order). However, if the infinitive verb is preceded by a separate conjugated verb, then the indirect object pronoun can be positioned first
Para Uses
- Explanation of purpose or intention
- Going in a direction to a place
- For (as when something is meant for a person)
- In certain time phrases, such as for a due date
- When comparing (such as a quality of something to the expected result)
Por Uses
- To pass by, through, along
- By means of
- In place of another
- For a cause or motive
- To go and get, pick up someone, etc.
Other links to check out
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar6.html
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar10.html
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar12.html
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar16.html
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar17.html
https://practicingspanish.com/grammar18.html
