When there are direct object, indirect object and reflexive pronouns in a sentence with a conjugated verb, the position of the pronouns will always be in front of the verb structure.
Have a look and listen to the following examples:
Ellos nos han enviado una invitación.
They have sent us an invitation.
¿Me leerás un cuento esta noche?
Will you read me a story tonight?
Rosario lo compró en la farmacia.
Rosario bought it at the chemist.
Ellas se habían duchado antes de salir.
They had had a shower before going out.
Notice how the pronouns are always placed in front and not after the verb, unlike in English, for example:
Los compré en Madrid NOT Compré los en Madrid
I bought them in Madrid.
With negative imperatives, the pronoun is also placed in front of the verb, after "no". For example:
Remember that in sentences with more than one pronoun there is a specific order you must follow:
- First the indirect object pronoun, then the direct object pronoun.
This order must be respected in sentences with a conjugated verb.
Ella se lo entregó enseguida.
She gave it to him straight away.
[se =indirect object] [lo =direct object]
Me gusta este bar. Clara me lo recomendó.
I like this bar. Clara recommended it to me.
[me =indirect object] [lo =direct object]
Hemos recibido una carta. Antonio nos la ha enviado desde Perú.
We received a letter. Antonio sent it to us from Peru.
[nos =indirect object] [la =direct object]
To learn about how pronouns are positioned with conjugated verbs that contain a gerund, infinitive or a command see also Position of direct and indirect object pronouns with infinitive/gerund and affirmative commands.
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
No lo toques. Está muy caliente.
Don't touch it. It is very hot.
Ella se lo entregó enseguida.
She gave it to him straight away.
Ellas se habían duchado antes de salir.
They had had a shower before going out.
Hemos recibido una carta. Antonio nos la ha enviado desde Perú.
We received a letter. Antonio sent it to us from Peru.
Rosario lo compró en la farmacia.
Rosario bought it at the chemist.
Me gusta este bar. Clara me lo recomendó.
I like this bar. Clara recommended it to me.
Ellos nos han enviado una invitación.
They have sent us an invitation.
¿Me leerás un cuento esta noche?
Will you read me a story tonight?
Q&A Forum 1 question, 1 answer
Don't we always need an indirect object pronoun?
Hola Allison
There are two possible answers for "We've already mentioned it to the boss."
1. Ya se lo hemos mencionado al jefe.
2. Ya lo hemos mencionado al jefe.
The "se" in the first one is "to him" [it should be "le" but "le" becomes "se" if followed by "lo/los/las"]. So we can repeat the indirect object in the sentence if we want to. [se + al jefe]
However the first indirect object pronoun is not compulsary, so we can just omit it. This would be sentence 2.
I hope this helps.
Un saludo
Inma
Don't we always need an indirect object pronoun?
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