Le ayudó: why is indirect pronoun le used here, and not direct pronoun lo?

Janet D.A2Kwiziq community member

Le ayudó: why is indirect pronoun le used here, and not direct pronoun lo?

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Janet

Technically this "le" is a direct object, because the verb ayudar is transitive, but this "le" being referring to a singular masculine is accepted (instead of the direct object pronoun lo) - As Tony and David said this is "leísmo" (which is using le as direct object pronoun instead of lo) and is common in some parts of Spain to use it. This is accepted by the R.A.E as long as it is singular masculine. 

Here is a short article from Kwiziq talking about leísmo. Have a look.

Saludos

Inma

Tony B.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hey Jane, I'm going to take a guess here as to why this happens which I hope is useful for you. I see it as "the help" is the direct object (even though it’s not) being given to "him" which is the indirect object. Just as if I gave a letter (direct object) to you (indirect object). The expression ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? when greeted by a shopkeeper greets helps me remember that one can use "le". This use of Le instead of Lo is called “leismo.”

David M.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It is actually quite common to use "le" as a direct object rather than "lo", particularly in Spain; [less common in America?].

Le ayudó: why is indirect pronoun le used here, and not direct pronoun lo?

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