g
Printer Friendly Version

editor  
BellaOnline's Spanish Language Editor
 

Position of Spanish D.O. and I.O. Pronouns

We already learned about the position of Direct and Indirect Pronouns when used with either an infinitive, gerund or command form (See Placement of Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns).

Now, it is time to learn the order of this pronouns, when used with conjugated verbs.

In this sentence:

Juan da un libro a sus padres.

The Direct Object is "un libro" and the Indirect Object is "a sus padres"

Let's use the corresponding pronouns:

"un libro" = lo (Direct Object Pronoun)
"a sus padres" = les (Indirect Object Pronoun).

As the verb in this sentence ("da") is a conjugaged verb, we have to place both pronouns before the verb. But which one first? The Direct Pronoun or the Indirect Pronoun?

The answer is: the order is always the same. First, the Indirect Object Pronoun. Second the Direct Object Pronoun. So, our sentences will change to:

"Juan les lo da"...

Wait! "les lo"???

No, that's not possible. When both pronouns start with an "l", we'll change the Indirect pronoun to "se": "Juan se lo da"

Hope this helps!


Recommended material:

Watch my video Learn how to pronounce Spanish vowels. It is free!

Spanish Language Site @ BellaOnline
View This Article in Regular Layout

Content copyright © 2013 by Angeles Fernández. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Angeles Fernández. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Angeles Fernandez for details.



| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2023 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


BellaOnline Editor