(EDU) - Using Direct Object Pronouns and Indirect Objects Together Lesson

Using Direct Object Pronouns and Indirect Objects Together

Let’s Talk About the Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns Rules for the direct and indirect object pronouns, 1. They go directly before the conjugated verb, for example, Yo escribe una carta becomes Yo la escribe, for example, Ella llama a mi becomes, Ella me llama, 2. They can also go directly attached to an infinitive (an unconjugated verb), for example, Yo quiero comprar un refresco becomes Yo quiero comprarlo, for example, Yo necesito estudiar el vocabulario becomes Yo necesito esutdiarlo. 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 limpio 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.  

Using Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns Together

Now, watch the following video lesson to learn how to use direct and indirect object pronouns together. We suggest you pause the video when needed, be prepared to take notes, and answer the questions in this video lesson. 

¡Vamos a Practicar!

Activity One

Please complete the following activity.

Activity Two

Complete the activity below.

Activity Three

Please complete the following activity.

 

 

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