Pronouns: Following a Verb

01

Verb Forms That Allow Attached Pronouns

Pronouns are attached to three specific verb forms:

1. The Infinitive: The basic, unconjugated form of a verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir. This is common in verb phrases.

• Voy a llamarte más tarde.

  I'm going to call you later.

• No quiero perderlo.

  I don't want to lose it.

• Necesitamos decidirnos ya.

  We need to decide now.

2. The Affirmative Imperative: When giving a direct command or order. For affirmative commands, the pronoun must be attached.

• ¡Dímelo!

  Tell it to me!

• ¡Siéntate, por favor.

  Sit down, please.

Note that for negative commands, the pronouns are not attached and instead come before the verb.

• ¡No me lo digas!

  Don't tell it to me!

3. The Gerund: The -ando or -iendo form of the verb, used in progressive tenses.

• Estoy buscándolo.

  I am looking for it.

• Seguimos esperándote.

  We keep waiting for you.

In progressive tenses, you also have the option of placing the pronoun before the conjugated verb (estar, seguir, etc.). Both are correct.

• Lo estoy buscando.

  I am looking for it.

02

Attaching One or Two Pronouns

When attaching pronouns, there is a strict order to follow.

With one pronoun: Simply attach the direct or indirect object pronoun to the end of the verb.

• Tienes que ayudarla.

  You have to help her. (Direct object)

• Quiero darle un regalo.

  I want to give him/her a gift. (Indirect object)

With two pronouns: The indirect object pronoun (who the action is for) always comes before the direct object pronoun (what is being acted upon).

• Indirect Object + Direct Object

• ¿Mi suéter? Puedes dármelo mañana.

  My sweater? You can give it to me tomorrow. (me = to me; lo = it)

• Te lo voy a explicar. → Voy a explicártelo.

  I'm going to explain it to you. (te = to you; lo = it)

03

The 'Se' Substitution Rule

When the indirect object pronouns le (to him/her/you) or les (to them/you all) are followed by the direct object pronouns lo, la, los, or las, the indirect pronoun changes to se. This is done to avoid the awkward-sounding combination of two "L" sounds (e.g., "le lo").

• le + lo → se lo
• les + la → se la

• Voy a darle el dinero. → Voy a dárselo.

  I'm going to give the money to him/her. → I'm going to give it to him/her.

• ¡Entregales las llaves! → ¡Entrégaselas!

  Give the keys to them! → Give them to them!

Because se can be ambiguous (it could mean to him, her, them, or you), a clarifying phrase like a él or a ellas is often added.

• Voy a comprárselo a mi papá.

  I'm going to buy it for my dad.

04

Adding Accent Marks

Attaching pronouns adds syllables to the end of the verb, which can change where the natural stress falls. To preserve the original stress of the verb, a written accent mark (tilde) is often required.

Imperatives: If the original command form has two or more syllables, adding even one pronoun will require an accent.

• compra + lo → ¡cómpralo!
• trae + me + lo → ¡tráemelo!

Infinitives and Gerunds: An accent is usually needed only when two pronouns are attached.

• comprar + te + lo → comprártelo
• diciendo + nos + lo → diciéndonoslo