When there are direct and indirect object pronouns in a sentence with a conjugated verb that is followed by an infinitive or a present participle, the position of the pronouns can be:
- In front of the verb structure.
¿Todavía no has recibido la carta? Seguro que ella la va a escribir mañana.Have you not received the letter yet? I am sure she'll write it tomorrow.
¿Estás cantando tu canción favorita? Sí, la estoy cantando.Are you singing your favourite song? Yes, I am singing it.
- Right after the infinitive/present participle and connected to it.
¿Todavía no has recibido la carta? Seguro que ella va a escribirla mañana.Have you not received the letter yet? I'm sure she'll write it tomorrow.
¿Estas cantando tu canción favorita? - Sí, estoy cantándola.Are you singing your favorite song? - Yes, I'm singing it.
Look at these other examples:
Es el cumpleaños de Joaquín. Tengo que enviarle una tarjeta.It is Joaquín's birthday. I have to send him a card.
Es el cumpleaños de Joaquín. Le tengo que enviar una tarjeta.It is Joaquín's birthday. I have to send him a card.
Rafa y Luis son simpáticos. Quiero invitarlos a mi fiesta.Rafa and Luis are nice. I want to invite them to my party.
Rafa y Luis son simpáticos. Los quiero invitar a mi fiesta.Rafa and Luis are nice. I want to invite them to my party.
Affirmative commands
When there are direct and indirect object pronouns in a sentence with an affirmative command the pronouns must be placed right after the command and connected to it. It cannot be placed in front.
Read and listen to these examples:
Los filetes están listos. ¡Cómanlos ahora mismo!The steaks are ready. Eat them now!
¿Quieres que lleve los libros? -Sí, tráelos por favor.Do you want me to take the books? -Yes, please bring them.
¡Dame las llaves!Give me the keys!
Muéstrale el camino.Show him the way.
Remember that there are sentences which have more than one object pronoun. In these cases, the indirect pronoun must be placed first, and the direct pronoun after, not the other way around. Both pronouns must be together.
Here are some more examples:
Quiere comprárselos.She wants to buy them for him.
Se los quiere comprar.She wants to buy them for him.
¡Cómpraselos!Buy them for him!
Los quiere comprar se.
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident?
We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your
gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Find your Spanish level for FREE
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
