INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS Indirect object pronouns are the words that take the place of the noun. They are shown in the table below:
Indirect object pronouns Me – to/for me (singular) Me – to/for me (singular) Te – to/for you (singular) Te – to/for you (singular) Le – to/for you, to him, to her (singular) Le – to/for you, to him, to her (singular) Se – to/for yourself, to himself, to herself (singular) Se – to/for yourself, to himself, to herself (singular) Nos – to/for us (plural) Nos – to/for us (plural) Os – to/for you all (plural) Os – to/for you all (plural) Les – to/for you all, to/for them (plural) Les – to/for you all, to/for them (plural) Se – to/for themselves, to/for yourselves (plural) Se – to/for themselves, to/for yourselves (plural)
Indirect Objects continued… The indirect object indicates "to whom" or "for whom" the action of the verb is performed. Sentences that have an indirect object often also have a direct object. The example below illustrates the direct object and indirect object of a simple sentence. The indirect object indicates "to whom" or "for whom" the action of the verb is performed. Sentences that have an indirect object often also have a direct object. The example below illustrates the direct object and indirect object of a simple sentence.
EXAMPLE: She gave me the report. She gave me the report. What is the direct object? - the report What is the direct object? - the report Who received the report? - Me Who received the report? - Me What is the indirect object? - Me What is the indirect object? - Me "Me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the report was given to. "Me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the report was given to. The direct object is not always stated; in some cases it is implied. The direct object is not always stated; in some cases it is implied.
EXAMPLE: My girl friend writes me every day. My girl friend writes me every day. What is the direct object? - letter (implied) What is the direct object? - letter (implied) Who received the letter? - me Who received the letter? - me What is the indirect object? - me What is the indirect object? - me "me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the letter was written for. "me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the letter was written for.
RULES There are some general rules for using indirect object pronouns: There are some general rules for using indirect object pronouns: 1. They precede conjugated verbs and negative commands: 1. They precede conjugated verbs and negative commands: Siempre me llamas en esta hora. You always call me at this time. Siempre me llamas en esta hora. You always call me at this time. No me llames en esta hora. Don't call me at this time (of day). No me llames en esta hora. Don't call me at this time (of day).
RULES 2. They can precede or follow infinitives and present participles. 2. They can precede or follow infinitives and present participles. No tienes que decirle la verdad. You don't have to tell him/her the truth. No tienes que decirle la verdad. You don't have to tell him/her the truth. No le tienes que decir la verdad. You don't have to tell him/her the truth. No le tienes que decir la verdad. You don't have to tell him/her the truth.
RULES 3. They follow and are attached to affirmative commands. 3. They follow and are attached to affirmative commands. Dile que el partido empieza a las siete. Tell him/her that the game starts at seven. Dile que el partido empieza a las siete. Tell him/her that the game starts at seven.
EXAMPLE: The example sentences should help you understand proper use: The example sentences should help you understand proper use: Pablo me compra una bicicleta. Paul buys me a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for me. Pablo me compra una bicicleta. Paul buys me a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for me.
EXAMPLE: Pablo te compra una bicicleta. Paul buys you a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for you. Pablo te compra una bicicleta. Paul buys you a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for you.
EXAMPLE: Pablo le compra una bicicleta. Paul buys him (her, you) a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for him (her, you). Pablo le compra una bicicleta. Paul buys him (her, you) a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for him (her, you).
EXAMPLE: Pablo nos compra una bicicleta. Paul buys us a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for us. Pablo nos compra una bicicleta. Paul buys us a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for us.
EXAMPLE: Pablo os compra una bicicleta. Paul buys y’all a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for y’all. Pablo os compra una bicicleta. Paul buys y’all a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for y’all.
EXAMPLE: Pablo les compra una bicicleta. Paul buys them (you all) a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for them (you all). Pablo les compra una bicicleta. Paul buys them (you all) a bicycle. Paul buys a bicycle for them (you all).
The indirect object pronouns (le) and (les) are ambiguous. They can have several meanings. The proper meaning must be taken from the context of the sentence. The example below shows how the meaning of (le) and (les) changes with each sentence. The indirect object pronouns (le) and (les) are ambiguous. They can have several meanings. The proper meaning must be taken from the context of the sentence. The example below shows how the meaning of (le) and (les) changes with each sentence.
EXAMPLES: Ella le llama a Juan. le = him (Juan) Ella le llama a Juan. le = him (Juan) Ella le llama a su hermana. le = her (hermana) Ella le llama a su hermana. le = her (hermana) Ella le llama a usted. le = you (usted) Ella le llama a usted. le = you (usted) Ella les llama a sus padres. les = them (padres) Ella les llama a sus padres. les = them (padres) Ella les llama a ustedes. les = you all (ustedes) Ella les llama a ustedes. les = you all (ustedes)