Using Object Pronouns with Commands

When using object pronouns with commands in Spanish sentences, all you do is tag the pronoun on the end of the command. Often tagging a pronoun on the end of a command will require you to put an

accent mark over the vowel where the original stressed syllable in the command was. Look at the

following examples:

Diga la verdad. Tell the truth.

Dígala. Tell it (the truth).

Escribe las cartas. Write the letters.

Escríbelas. Write them (the letters).

Note that in the examples where a pronoun is used, an accent is placed over the vowel in the originally stressed

syllable.

Let’s look at some other examples using both a direct and an indirect object pronoun.

In these examples, the indirect object pronoun always precedes the direct object

pronoun:

Diga la verdad a mí. Tell the truth to me.

Dígamela. Tell me it (the truth).

Escribe las cartas a nosotros. Write the letters to us.

Escríbenoslas. Write them (the letters) to us.

Note again that in the examples where a pronoun is used, an accent is placed over the vowel in the originally

stressed syllable.

If you are using a direct and an indirect object pronoun, and the indirect object pronoun is either

“le” or “les”, something special happens to the indirect object pronoun in these cases. In Spanish

you cannot have combinations of two pronouns beginning with the letter “l”. Therefore, the indirect object pronouns “le” and “les” become “se” when

used with direct object pronouns. Look at these examples:

Diga la verdad a Juan. Tell the truth to him.

Dígasela. (NOT “Dígalela.”) Tell him it (the truth).

Escribe las cartas a ellos. Write the letters to them.

Escríbeselas. (NOT “Escríbelelas.”) Write them (the letters) to them.

Note again that in the examples where a pronoun is used, an accent is placed over the vowel in the originally

stressed syllable.

Let’s do some examples. Using the given clues, write commands with object

pronouns. The answer will appear after 10 seconds.

Write it (the paragraph – el parrafo) [tú form]. _____________________________________

Buy them (the skirts – las faldas) [Uds. form]. ___________________________________

Speak it (the word – la palabra) to us [Ud. form]. ______________________________________

Cómprenlas.

Escríbelo.

Háblenosla.

Read them (the books – los libros ) to them [tú form]. ___________________________Léeselos.

Let’s do some practice. Using the given clues, write commands with object

pronouns. Wash (limpiar) it (the car – el coche) [Ud. Form].

Límpielo.That’s right… it’s

Cook (cocinar) it (the sausage – la salchicha) [Uds. Form].

Cocínenla. That’s right… it’s

Here’s some more practice. Read (leer) them (the magazines – las

revistas) to her [tú form].

Use (usar) them (the markers – los marcadores) [Ud. Form].

Léeselas.That’s right… it’s

Úselos.That’s right… it’s

Buy (comprar) them (the pens – los bolígrafos) for them [Uds.

Form].

Give (dar) it (the money – el dinero) to me [tú form].

Cómprenselos.That’s right… it’s

Dámelo.That’s right… it’s

VOILA!

See how easy that was? Now try some on your

own – click the button to do a practice quiz.

PracticeQuiz

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