Pronouns: Preceding a Verb

01

Elision Before a Vowel or 'H'

When a pronoun ending in a vowel comes before a verb that starts with a vowel or a silent 'h', the pronoun's vowel is dropped and replaced with an apostrophe. This is called elision and it helps the words flow together smoothly.

This change affects the following pronouns:

• em (me) → m'
• et (you, singular) → t'
• es (himself, herself, itself, themselves) → s'
• el (him, it) → l'
• la (her, it) → l'

• Ell m'ajuda amb els deures.

  He helps me with the homework. (from em ajuda)

• T'has rentat les mans?

  Have you washed your hands? (from te has rentat)

• El restaurant s'obre a les vuit.

  The restaurant opens at eight. (from es obre)

• El cafè? Ja l'he preparat.

  The coffee? I've already prepared it. (from el he preparat)

Pronouns that end in a consonant or the vowel 'i' do not change.

• Ens agrada molt la platja.

  We really like the beach.

• Li he donat el teu número.

  I gave him/her your number.

02

Placement in Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, the pronoun is placed between the word no and the verb. The word order is always: no + pronoun + verb.

• No la veig des de l'any passat.

  I haven't seen her since last year.

• Per què no ens dius la veritat?

  Why don't you tell us the truth?

• No m'agrada el peix.

  I don't like fish.

03

Contrast with Other Verb Forms

While pronouns precede conjugated verbs, it is useful to know that they follow and attach to infinitives (e.g., fer), gerunds (e.g., fent), and positive commands (e.g., fes).

Compare the placement:

• L'agafo.

  I'm taking it. (Precedes conjugated verb)

• Vull agafar-lo.

  I want to take it. (Follows infinitive)

• Agafa-'l!

  Take it! (Follows positive command)