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.
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]
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
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?
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.
Rosario lo compró en la farmacia.
Rosario bought it at the chemist.
allison
Kwiziq community member
30 January 2019
1 reply
Don't we always need an indirect object pronoun?
Which is the correct sentence for "We've already mentioned it to the boss."?What about "Ya se lo hemos mencionado al jefe????Ya hemos lo mencionado al jefe.Ya lo hemos mencionado al jefe.Ya hemos mencionado al jefe lo.Ya hemos mencionádolo al jefe.
Inma
Kwiziq language super star
1 February 2019
1/02/19
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