Repaso de gramática: Using Direct and Indirect Objects Together

Let’s Talk About the Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

Rules for Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

They go directly before the conjugated verb, for example:
- Yo escribe una carta
  - Yo la escribe
- Ella llama a mi
  - Ella me llama
They can also be directly attached to an infinitive (an unconjugated verb), for example:
- Yo quiero comprar un refresco
- Yo quiero comprarlo
- Yo necesito estudiar el vocabulario
- Yo necesito estudiarlo

Video Lesson: Using Direct and Indirect Objects Together

Watch the following video to learn more about using direct and indirect objects together.

Video source: Maestro Kaplan (via YouTube; used with permission, all rights reserved)

Repaso de video: Using Direct and Indirect Objects Together

In Spanish, it's common for both an indirect object pronoun and the noun to which it refers to appear together. In the example below, Mary is the indirect object. The indirect object pronoun le can be used with the indirect object (as in the first example), or without it (as in the second example).

Susy le limpió la habitación a Mary.
- Susy cleaned the room for Mary.
Susy le limpió la habitación.
- Susy cleaned the room for her.

Because the third person indirect object pronoun is gender neutral, it is common to maintain the indirect object phrase in the sentence for clarification.

Even without a Mary, le still indicates to whom the direct object (la habitación) is cleaned for. However, because third person indirect object pronouns do not indicate gender, this sentence could also mean:

Susy cleaned the room for her.
Susy cleaned the room for it.
Susy cleaned the room for him.

To avoid confusion, Spanish speakers will often clarify to whom a pronoun refers by using both the indirect object and the indirect object pronoun.

¡Vamos a practicar!

Please complete the following activity.

Activity 1: Fill in the Blank with Pronoun or Verb Form

Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks - Pronouns

Activity Three: Fill in the Blanks with Pronouns

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