How to Use Object Pronouns In Spanish Commands
Learning commands with pronouns in Spanish is your first real test for fluency. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to learn.
You need to know the elements, learn the rules, and then practice. Regular practice is the secret to success.
Let’s take it slowly. I’ll guide you through the steps and tell you what to do when you get to each level.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Spanish Commands
Spanish commands are a whole topic to learn. If you need a refresher, learn how to form affirmative and negative commands in Spanish. Or you can just go through my quick summary here and refresh your memory.
A command is an instruction for another person:
Pass the salt.
Hurry up!
Don’t do it!
Affirmative commands are when you tell someone to do something, and negative commands are when you tell them not to do something.
In Spanish, there are 5 types of commands:
1. Affirmative Tú
These commands use the third-person singular form of the present indicative:
Pon antención.
Pay attention.
Estudia.
Study.
2. Negative tú Commands
These use the second-person form of the present subjunctive:
No empieces.
Don’t start.
No traigas nada.
Don’t bring anything.
3. Singular Formal (Usted) Commands
These use the third-person singular form of the present subjunctive:
No diga nada.
Don’t say anything.
Apague la luz.
Turn off the lights.
4. Plural Formal (Ustedes) Commands
These commands use the third-person plural form of the present subjunctive:
Niños, estudien mucho.
Kids, study a lot.
Chicos, no lean tan tarde.
Boys, don’t read so late.
5. Nosotros Commands
Finally, these commands use the nosotros form of the present subjunctive.
No estudiemos hoy.
Let’s not study today.
Empecemos.
Let’s start.
Check out Common irregular Informal Commands in Spanish if you need help with the irregular forms.
Object Pronouns
Before I show you how to use commands with pronouns in Spanish, let’s take a quick look at object pronoun forms.
In Spanish, there are direct and indirect object pronouns.
Direct Object Pronouns
There are only 7 direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, os, las, los). Remember that their form depends on the number and gender of the noun they substitute:
SIngular Direct Object Pronouns
Plural Direct Object Pronouns
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns are also formed based on subject pronouns and change according to the number and but not the gender.
SIngular Indirect Object Pronouns
Plural Indirect Object Pronouns
There are only 5 indirect object pronouns, so they’re even easier to use than the direct object pronouns.
How to Use Commands with Pronouns in Spanish
When using commands with pronouns in Spanish, you first check whether the command is affirmative or negative.
Spanish commands with two pronouns (direct and indirect) in the same sentence also have a few rules to remember.
Affirmative Commands with Pronouns in Spanish
If you give affirmative commands, whether formal or informal, you always need to attach the object pronouns after the verb.
Ponlo.
Put it on.
Tráela.
Bring it.
Llévame.
Take me.
Remember that with two-syllable or longer verbs, you’ll need to add a written accent to the second but last syllable of the imperative.
With one-syllable verbs, you’ll only need to add the accent if you add two pronouns. If you want to use affirmative Spanish commands with two pronouns, the indirect object pronoun always goes before the direct object pronoun.
Tráemelo.
Bring it to me.
Ponlo.
Put it on.
Póntelo.
Put it on (yourself).
Remember that if both pronouns start with the letter l, you’ll change the indirect pronoun to se.
Léeselo.
Read it to him.
Sirvesela.
Serve it to her.
Negative Commands with Pronouns in Spanish
If you want to make negative commands with pronouns in Spanish, you have to put the object pronouns before the imperative.
If you want to use two object pronouns at the same time, the indirect object pronoun needs to go first, too. Remember the se change if you use double l pronouns.
No me lo traiga.
Don’t bring it to me.
No te lo pongas.
Don’t wear it.
No se lo lleves.
Don’t take it to him.
Practice Commands with Pronouns in Spanish
You should be proud of yourself! You can check off another Spanish grammar topic: commands with pronouns in Spanish.
What’s next? Everyday practice. Yes, there are no shortcuts to fluency, and the only way to learn a language is to use it daily. If you strive to find motivation, think about why you want to learn Spanish. What’s your main goal?
Are you aware of the fact that knowing another language can make you richer? According to a study conducted by The Economist, a person can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 extra just by knowing a foreign language alone.
So, don’t wait any longer and start today! Sign up now for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Let our friendly and professional teachers from Guatemala help you reach your fluency goals and practice commands with pronouns in Spanish in a 1-to-1 conversation! Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!
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