Pronouns (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Pronouns
Understanding subjects and objects
In Spanish sentences, it's essential to understand the different roles that words can play. The subject represents who or what performs the action in a sentence, whilst the object receives the action. Objects can be direct or indirect.
Direct objects receive the action directly, whilst indirect objects tell us to whom or for whom the action is done.
Worked Example: Identifying Sentence Components
María sends the email to David
- Subject: María (does the sending)
- Verb: sends
- Direct object: the email (what is sent)
- Indirect object: to David (who receives it)
Types of Spanish pronouns
Spanish has three main categories of pronouns that replace nouns in sentences. Each serves a different grammatical function and has specific rules for usage.
Subject pronouns
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| yo | I |
| tú | you (informal) |
| él | he/it |
| ella | she/it |
| nosotros/as | we |
| vosotros/as | you (plural, Spain) |
| ellos/ellas | they |
Critical Rule: Subject pronouns aren't commonly used in Spanish because the verb ending already indicates who performs the action. Spanish speakers occasionally include them to highlight or stress who is performing the action.
Example Usage:
A mí me gusta Perú, pero él quiere ir a México. (I like Peru, but he wants to go to Mexico.)
Notice how él is used here for emphasis to contrast the two people's preferences.
Direct object pronouns
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| me | me |
| te | you |
| lo | him/it (masculine) |
| la | her/it (feminine) |
| nos | us |
| os | you (plural) |
| los/las | them |
Indirect object pronouns
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| me | (to/for) me |
| te | (to/for) you |
| le | (to/for) him/her/it |
| nos | (to/for) us |
| os | (to/for) you |
| les | (to/for) them |
Position of object pronouns
Understanding where to place object pronouns is crucial for forming correct Spanish sentences. The positioning rules depend on the type of verb construction you're using and can significantly affect the meaning and grammatical correctness of your sentences.
General positioning rules
Essential Rule: Object pronouns typically appear before the main verb in most sentence types.
Standard Positioning Examples:
- La compré en el supermercado. (I bought it in the supermarket.)
- No la tengo. (I don't have it.)
- Nadie les escribe. (No one writes to them.)
Special cases
Understanding these special positioning rules will help you sound more natural and avoid common mistakes when speaking Spanish.
With infinitives in near future tense:
When using the near future tense (voy a + infinitive), you can attach the object pronoun to the end of the infinitive:
- Voy a comprarlo por Internet. (I'm going to buy it online.)
- Lo voy a comprar por Internet. (I'm going to buy it online.)
Both forms are correct and commonly used.
With positive commands:
Object pronouns attach to the end of positive imperative forms:
- ¡Hazlo! (Do it!)
Practice exercises
Translation Practice
Translate these sentences from Spanish to English:
- La compré en el supermercado.
- Voy a comprarlo por Internet.
Translate these sentences from English to Spanish:
- I don't have it.
- No one writes to them.
Answers:
- I bought it in the supermarket.
- I'm going to buy it online.
- No la tengo.
- Nadie les escribe.
Key Points to Remember:
- Subject pronouns are rarely used in Spanish because verb endings show who performs the action
- Direct object pronouns replace the thing or person directly affected by the action
- Indirect object pronouns show to whom or for whom an action is done
- Object pronouns usually go before the verb, except when attached to infinitives or positive commands
- Both lo voy a comprar and voy a comprarlo are correct ways to say "I'm going to buy it"