⇒ Indirect object pronouns in Spanish generally follow the same placement rules as direct object pronouns.
⇒ Let’s take a look at the rules for indirect object placement with simple verbs, compound verbs, and commands.
⇒ In sentences with simple verbs (verbs made up of only one word), the indirect object pronoun goes before the verb.
⇒ In affirmative sentences with simple verbs, the indirect object comes directly before the verb.
⇒ For example:
⇒ Here are examples of aquel in action:
| Le tiro la pelota a Miguel.I throw the ball to Miguel. |
| Me compra una rosa.He buys me a rose. |
| Mi madre te compró un libro.My mother bought you a book. |
⇒ In negative sentences with simple verbs, the indirect object comes after the negative adverb (such as no) and directly before the verb.
⇒ For example:
| No le tira la pelota a Miguel.He doesn’t throw the ball to him. |
| No me compra una rosa.He doesn’t buy a rose for me. |
| Mi madre nunca te compró un libro.My mother never bought you a book. |
⇒ In sentences with compound verbs (verbs made up of multiple words), there are two options for where the indirect object pronoun can go.
⇒ The first option essentially follows the same rules as those for simple verbs: the indirect object comes before the conjugated verb.
⇒ For example:
| Les voy a contar un secreto.I am going to tell you a secret. |
| No nos está sirviendo la cena.She isn't serving us dinner. |
⇒ The second option is to attach the indirect object pronoun to an infinitive or a present participle.
⇒ For example:
| Voy a contarles un secreto.I am going to tell you a secret. |
| No está sirviéndonos la cena.She isn't serving us dinner. |
⇒ Note the accent on sirviéndonos. This is used to preserve the original stress of the verb form.
⇒ Indirect object pronouns are attached to affirmative commands, but are placed between the negative adverb and the verb in negative commands.
⇒ For example:
| Dame el libro.Give me the book |
| Háblame de ti.Tell me about yourself |
⇒ For example:
| No me des el libro.Don't give me the book |
| No le des nada.Don't give him anything. |