Understanding Object Pronouns in Spanish Grammar

1. Object Pronouns Me, te, nos

2. Two Types of Object Pronouns • There are two types of object pronouns: Direct and Indirect • Direct Object (DO) pronouns answer the question “Who or what is receiving the action of the verb?” • Indirect Object (IO) pronouns answer the question "To whom?" or "For whom?" the action of the verb is performed. It tells us where the DO is going.

3. Example • The doctor writes me a prescription. Subject verb Indirect object Direct object • What does he write? • For whom does he write the prescription? Where is the prescription going? Me To Me • In Spanish this sentence would be: • El médico me escribeunareceta.

4. Indirect Object Pronounsanswer the question "To whom?" or "For whom?" • (to/ for) me = me (pronounced “may”) • (to/ for) you = te • (to/ for) him, her, it, you formal = le • (to/ for) us = nos • (to/ for) y’all = os • (to/ for) them, you all = les • Look familiar?

5. You have already used them! • Me gustan los deportes verb Subject IO • Literally this sentence means: • Sports are pleasing to me. verb Subject IO

6. You have already used them! • le duele la garganta IO verb Subject • Literally this sentence means: • (His) throat hurts (gives pain to) him Subject verb IO

7. Direct Object Pronouns“Who or what is receiving the action of the verb?” • me = me • you = te • him, her, it, you formal = lo, la • us = nos • y’all = os • them, you all = los, las We will only use me, te, and nos in this chapter.

8. Examples • The doctors examine us. • Los médicosnosexaminan. Subject verb DO Subject DO verb • Whom or what do they examine? us • “Us” or “nos” is the direct object pronoun.

9. Examples Daddy, I adore you. • Papi, teadoro. DO Subject verb DO verb Subject (implied) • Whom or what do I adore? you • “You” or “te” is the direct object pronoun.

10. Did you notice? • Both DO and IO pronouns go before the verb. • Me, Te, and nos are the same for both sets of object pronouns • The verb agrees with the subject, NOT the objects.

11. Look again • El médicomeescribeunareceta. The verb matches the Subject The DO pronoun comes before the verb

12. Practicamos TE • ¿____ duele el estómago? Sí, me duele el estómago. • ¿Me escribes una carta? Sí, ____ escribo. • ¿Por qué te da una receta el médico? Porque____ duele la garganta. • Mi profesor de español ______ explica la lección porque no comprendemos la lección. TE ME NOS

13. El FIN