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Spanish 101A

Spanish 101B

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More on Indirect Objects & Pronouns

Here is another example: *Yo escribo una carta a Antonio y a Melanie.

Yo the subject (the person for whom we conjugate the verb)
Escribo the verb [transitive] (transfers action to an object -requires an object)
una carta direct object (receives the action of TO GIVE) - it's what is given.
a Antonio y a Melanie

the indirect object (this is to whom the ticket is given)

In English, we would replace "Antonio and Melanie" with "them". The Spanish equivalent is les.

Now our sentence reads: *Yo escribo una carta les.

We need to move the Indirect Object pronoun to the correct position:

Yo les escribo una carta.

Note: the Indirect Object pronoun will separate a subject (Yo, Tú, Él, Ella, Nosotros, etc.) and the active/conjugated verb.

You cannot say *Les yo escribo una carta.

Pronouns cannot be separated by a negative either: Yo no les escribo una carta.

Pronouns are placed directly before the conjugated verb.

Remember, you still must use the indirect object pronoun even when you identify the indirect object itself. Here are a few more examples:

I tell them the truth Yo les digo la verdad
I tell the truth to Jack & Jill Yo les digo la verdad a Jack y a Jill
I give the wine to Madonna Le doy el vino a Madonna
I give the wine to her (or him, or you) Le doy el vino
Mel brings the towel to you Mel te trae la toalla
Keanu brings the towel to me Keanu me trae la toalla
They tell him (or her, or you) where the skis are Le dicen dónde están los esquís
They tell Cher where the skis are Le dicen dónde están los esquís a Cher
You teach us Spanish Nos enseña Español
You teach Spanish to Gumby, Pokey and me Nos enseña español a Gumby, a Pokey y a mí.
The thief steals the car from us El ladrón nos roba el carro
The thief steals the car from Uma and me El ladrón nos roba el carro a Uma y a mí