Español 2: Apuntes--repaso
Estructura 6.2: indirect object pronouns (complementos indirectos)
p. 202-205 en Descubre 1
 You have learned that a direct object receives the action of the verb _d___________ (how?).
In contrast, an indirect object receives the action of the verb _in________________ (how?).
 An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that answers the question to whom or for
whom an action is done.
In the preceding example, the indirect object answers this question:
A quién le presta Roberto cien pesos?
To whom does Roberto lend 100 pesos?
 Notice that the forms of indirect object pronouns for the first and second persons (me, te,
nos, os) are the same as the direct object pronouns. Indirect object pronouns agree in
number (singular/plural)with the corresponding nouns, but not in gender (masc./fem.).
Using indirect object pronouns:
 Spanish speakers commonly use both an indirect object pronoun AND the noun to
which it refers in the same sentence (UNLIKE DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS THAT
REPLACE THE NOUN). This is done to emphasize and clarify to whom the pronoun
refers. Examples below and on next page too.
 Indirect object pronouns are also used without the indirect object noun when the
person for whom the action is being done is known and there is no need to clarify.
Placement of indirect object pronouns:
 Placement of indirect object pronouns in a sentence is the SAME as placement of
direct object pronouns. They can be placed:
1. Before a conjugated (verb with an ending) verb. In negative sentences the
pronoun is placed between no and the conjugated verb.
Ejemplo:
2. Attached to an infinitive (-ar, -er, -ir) form of verb if there is one in the sentence
3. Attached to a present participle (-ando/-iendo ing form) but an accent must be
added to the “a” of –ando or the “e” of –iendo to maintain proper stress.
Ejemplos para #2 y #3:
 Because the indirect object pronouns le and les have multiple meanings,:
 le= to/for him, to/for her, to/for you (formal)
 les=to/for them, to/for you (plural)
Spanish speakers often clarify to whom the pronouns refer with the preposition a +
[pronoun] or a + [noun].
 The irregular verb dar (to give), as well as decir, are often used with indirect object
pronouns.
Apuntes: Repaso
Double object pronouns:
 You have learned that direct and indirect object pronouns replace nouns and that they often
refer to nouns that have already been referenced. You will now learn how to use direct and
indirect object pronouns together. Observe the following diagram.
 When direct and indirect object pronouns are used together, the indirect object pronoun
always precedes the direct object pronoun.
 In Spanish, two pronouns that begin with the letter l cannot be used together. Therefore,
the indirect object pronouns le and les always change to se when they are used with lo, los,
la, and las.
 Because se has multiple meanings, Spanish speakers often clarify to whom the pronoun
refers by adding a usted, a él, a ella, a ustedes, a ellos, or a ellas.
 Double object pronouns are placed before a conjugated verb. With infinitives and present
participles, they may be placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the end of the
infinitive or present participle (-ing form- ando, -iendo).
 Note that when double object pronouns are attached to an infinitive or a present participle,
an accent mark is added to maintain the original stress.
Practice: Fill in with the appropriate object pronoun.
1. ¿La ensalada? El camarero nos _____ la____ sirvió.
2. ¿El salmón? La dueña me _____ recomienda.
3. ¿La comida? Voy a preparárte _____.
4. ¿Las bebidas? Estamos pidiéndose _____.
5. ¿Los refrescos? Te _____ puedo traer ahora.
6. ¿Los platos de arroz? Van a servírnos _____ después.