Object Pronoun Placement

Colocación de pronombres de complemento

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Spanish object pronouns (direct, indirect) and reflexive pronouns usually precede the verbs they modify. However, in the case of infinitives, gerunds, and affirmative commands, they often get attached to the end of the verb instead.

1) Object pronouns with infinitive

When one or more pronouns are used with a verb in the infinitive (including the perfect infinitive), the pronoun(s) usually get attached to the end of it.

Por ejemplo…

Salió sin verlo.		He left without seeing it.
Limpié la casa para venderla.		I cleaned the house to sell it.

If the infinitive is immediately preceded by a conjugated verb, the pronoun(s) can either precede the conjugated verb or be attached to the infinitive.

Por ejemplo…

Lo quiero vender. Quiero venderlo.		I want to sell it.
Me voy a lavar. Voy a lavarme.		I’m going to wash up.

 When double pronouns are attached to an infinitive, an acute accent must be added to the last syllable of the infinitive, in order to maintain the correct stress on the word.

Por ejemplo…

Quiere vendérnoslo.		He wants to sell it to us.
Voy a dártelo.		I’m going to give it to you.

2) Object pronouns with gerund

When pronouns are used with a gerund or progressive tense, the pronoun(s) can either precede the helping verb or be attached to the gerund.

Por ejemplo…

Lo estoy mirando. Estoy mirándolo.		I am watching it.
Las estábamos mirando. Estábamos mirándolas.		We were looking for them.

In this case, even when just one pronoun is attached to the gerund, an accent must be added to the original stressed syllable in order to maintain the correct stress on the word.

3) Object pronouns with imperative

When it comes to the imperative, object pronoun placement is not flexible.

• Negative commands: object pronouns must precede the verb.
• Affirmative commands: object pronouns must be attached to the end of the verb.

Por ejemplo…

¡No me ayudes!		Don’t help me!
¡Ayúdame!		Help me!
No se vaya (Ud).		Don’t go away.
Váyase.		Go away.
No lo comas.		Don’t eat it.
Cómelo.		Eat it.
No me la traiga.		Don’t bring it to me.
Tráigamela.		Bring it to me.

Again, when object pronouns are attached the the imperative, an accent must be added to the verb to maintain the proper word stress.

 Pronoun Position Quiz

Test yourself on the placement of Spanish pronouns with this fill-in-the-blanks exercise:

• Carta para puesto de secretaria

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless Spanish account to take this test. If you don’t have one, sign up – it’s free!

 Related lessons

• Direct object pronouns
• Indirect object pronouns
• Reflexive pronouns
• Contractions
• Acute accent
• Word stress
   

 En français

• Position de pronoms compléments
   

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