Pronouns: Following a Verb

01

When to Attach Pronouns

Pronouns are attached to the end of the verb in the following cases:

• Infinitives: The basic dictionary form of the verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir.

• Tengo que hacerlo.

  I have to do it.

• Gerunds: The continuous form ending in -ando or -iendo.

• Está mirándome.

  He is looking at me.

• Affirmative Imperatives: Commands telling someone to do something.

• ¡Cómelo!

  Eat it!

Note that for negative commands (telling someone not to do something), the pronoun must go before the verb.

• ¡No lo comas!

  Don't eat it!

02

Order of Multiple Pronouns

When a verb has two object pronouns attached to it, there is a strict order. The Indirect Object (the person receiving the action) always comes before the Direct Object (the thing being acted upon).

Think of the order as: People first, things second.

• Quiero comprártelo.

  I want to buy it for you.

• ¡Explícamelo!

  Explain it to me!

03

The "Le" to "Se" Change

A phonetic rule prevents two pronouns starting with the letter "L" from standing next to each other. If the indirect object pronoun is le or les (him, her, them) and it is followed by a direct object pronoun starting with "L" (lo, la, los, las), the first pronoun changes to se.

This applies to both singular and plural recipients.

• le + lo becomes se lo
• les + la becomes se la

• Voy a dárselo.

  I am going to give it to him.

• ¡Díselo!

  Tell it to them!

04

Accent Marks (Tildes)

Attaching pronouns adds syllables to the end of the word. To keep the stress on the original syllable of the verb, you often need to add a written accent mark.

• Infinitives: Usually require an accent only when two pronouns are attached.

• Decir -> Decírmelo.

  To say -> To tell it to me.

• Gerunds: Almost always require an accent, even with just one pronoun.

• Hablando -> Hablándole.

  Speaking -> Speaking to him.

• Imperatives: Usually require an accent if the resulting word has three or more syllables.

• Da -> Dámelo.

  Give -> Give it to me.

05

Reflexive Commands in European Spanish

In Spain, when using the vosotros (plural "you") affirmative command with the reflexive pronoun os, the final "d" of the verb is dropped before adding the pronoun.

• Sentad + os becomes Sentaos.

• ¡Sentaos, por favor!

  Sit down, please!

• ¡Callaos!

  Shut up!

The only exception to this rule is the verb ir (to go), which keeps the "d".

• ¡Idos de aquí!

  Go away from here!

Similarly, when using the nosotros command ("let's"), the final "s" of the verb is dropped before adding the reflexive pronoun nos.

• Vamos + nos becomes Vámonos.

• ¡Lavémonos las manos!

  Let's wash our hands!