Indirect and Direct Object Pronouns Flashcards
What are the direct object pronouns?
me (me)
te (you-familiar)
lo, la (him, her, it, you-formal)
nos (us)
os (you-all-familiar)
los, las (them, you-all-formal)
What are direct object pronouns used for?
The object that directly receives the action of the verb is called the direct object.
Bill hit the ball.
“Ball” receives the action of the verb “hit.”
Sherry reads the book.
“Book” receives the action of the verb “reads.”
What are the indirect object pronouns?
me (me)
te (you-familiar)
le (him, her, you-formal)
nos (us)
os (you-all-familiar)
les (them, you-all-formal)
What are indirect objects used for?
The indirect object (IO) tells us where the direct object (DO) is going.
He gives the book to María.
DO=Book
Where is the book going?
To María.
IO=María
Does the direct or indirect object come first?
When you have both a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun in the same sentence, the indirect object pronoun comes first.
What is the rule if you have two pronouns starting with a l?
Whenever both pronouns begin with the letter “l” change the first pronoun to “se.”
Where do you place the pronouns in negative sentences?
In negative sentences, the negative word comes directly before the first pronoun.
No se lo tengo.
I don’t have it for you.
Nunca se los compro.
I never buy them for her.
Where do you place the pronouns in non-negative sentences?
In sentences with two verbs, there are two options regarding the placement of the pronouns. Place them immediately before the conjugated verb or attach them directly to the infinitive.
She should explain it to me.
Ella me lo debe explicar.
Ella debe explicármelo.
I want to tell it to you.
Te lo quiero decir.
Quiero decírtelo.
You need to send it to them.
Se la necesitas enviar a ellos.
Necesitas enviársela a ellos.
Note that when attaching the pronouns to the infinitive, a written accent is also added to the final syllable of the infinitive. This preserves the sound of the infinitive.
