INDIRECT OBJECT INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNSPRONOUNS

Indirect object Indirect object pronounspronouns are the words are the words that take the place of the that take the place of the noun. They are shown in noun. They are shown in

the table below: the table below:

Indirect object Indirect object pronounspronouns Me – to/for me (singular)Me – to/for me (singular)

Te – to/for you (singular)Te – to/for you (singular) Le – to/for you, to him, to her (singular)Le – to/for you, to him, to her (singular) Se – to/for yourself, to himself, to herself Se – to/for yourself, to himself, to herself

(singular)(singular) Nos – to/for us (plural) Nos – to/for us (plural) Os – to/for you all (plural) Os – to/for you all (plural) Les – to/for you all, to/for them (plural)Les – to/for you all, to/for them (plural) Se – to/for themselves, to/for yourselves Se – to/for themselves, to/for yourselves

(plural)(plural)

Indirect Objects continued…Indirect Objects continued…

The indirect object indicates "to The indirect object indicates "to whom" or "for whom" the action of whom" or "for whom" the action of the verb is performed. Sentences the verb is performed. Sentences that have an indirect object often that have an indirect object often also have a direct object. The also have a direct object. The example below illustrates the example below illustrates the direct object and indirect object of direct object and indirect object of a simple sentence. a simple sentence.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: She gave me the report.She gave me the report. What is the direct object? - the reportWhat is the direct object? - the report Who received the report? - MeWho received the report? - Me What is the indirect object? - MeWhat is the indirect object? - Me "Me" is the indirect object because it "Me" is the indirect object because it

tells us who the report was given to. tells us who the report was given to. The direct object is not always stated; The direct object is not always stated;

in some cases it is implied. in some cases it is implied.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: My girl friend writes me every My girl friend writes me every

day.day. What is the direct object? - letter What is the direct object? - letter

(implied)(implied) Who received the letter? - meWho received the letter? - me What is the indirect object? - meWhat is the indirect object? - me "me" is the indirect object because "me" is the indirect object because

it tells us who the letter was it tells us who the letter was written for. written for.

RULESRULES There are some general rules for There are some general rules for

using indirect object pronouns: using indirect object pronouns: 1. They precede conjugated verbs and 1. They precede conjugated verbs and

negative commands:negative commands: Siempre me llamas en esta hora.Siempre me llamas en esta hora.

You always call me at this time. You always call me at this time. No me llames en esta hora.No me llames en esta hora.

Don't call me at this time (of day). Don't call me at this time (of day).

RULESRULES 2. They can precede or follow 2. They can precede or follow

infinitives and present participles.infinitives and present participles. No tienes que decirle la verdad.No tienes que decirle la verdad.

You don't have to tell him/her You don't have to tell him/her the truth.the truth.

No le tienes que decir la No le tienes que decir la verdad.verdad.You don't have to tell him/her You don't have to tell him/her the truth.the truth.

RULESRULES

3. They follow and are attached 3. They follow and are attached to affirmative commands.to affirmative commands.

Dile que el partido empieza a Dile que el partido empieza a las siete. las siete. Tell him/her that the game Tell him/her that the game starts at seven.starts at seven.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

The example sentences should The example sentences should help you understand proper use: help you understand proper use:

Pablo me compra una Pablo me compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys me a bicycle.Paul buys me a bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for mePaul buys a bicycle for me..

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Pablo te compra una Pablo te compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys you a bicycle.Paul buys you a bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for Paul buys a bicycle for you.you.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Pablo le compra una Pablo le compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys him (her, you) a Paul buys him (her, you) a bicycle.bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for him Paul buys a bicycle for him (her, you).(her, you).

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Pablo nos compra una Pablo nos compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys us a bicycle.Paul buys us a bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for us. Paul buys a bicycle for us.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Pablo os compra una Pablo os compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys y’all a bicycle.Paul buys y’all a bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for Paul buys a bicycle for y’all. y’all.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Pablo les compra una Pablo les compra una bicicleta.bicicleta.Paul buys them (you all) a Paul buys them (you all) a bicycle.bicycle.Paul buys a bicycle for them Paul buys a bicycle for them (you all).(you all).

The indirect object pronouns The indirect object pronouns (le) and (les) are ambiguous. (le) and (les) are ambiguous. They can have several They can have several meanings. The proper meaning meanings. The proper meaning must be taken from the must be taken from the context of the sentence. The context of the sentence. The example below shows how the example below shows how the meaning of (le) and (les) meaning of (le) and (les) changes with each sentence. changes with each sentence.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: Ella le llama a Juan.Ella le llama a Juan.

le = him (Juan)le = him (Juan) Ella le llama a su hermana.Ella le llama a su hermana.

le = her (hermana)le = her (hermana) Ella le llama a usted.Ella le llama a usted.

le = you (usted)le = you (usted) Ella les llama a sus padres.Ella les llama a sus padres.

les = them (padres)les = them (padres) Ella les llama a ustedes.Ella les llama a ustedes.

les = you all (ustedes)les = you all (ustedes)