Grammar Level B1
Indirect Object
Pronouns
The ultimate guide to answering:
"To whom?" or "For whom?"
The "Gift" vs. The "Person"
Before we start, let's understand the difference.
Direct Object
It's the THING being given/sent.
(I buy a gift)
Indirect Object
It's the RECEIVER of the thing.
(... for my mom)
The Pronoun Menu
Just like "I give him the book" in English, Spanish uses specific pronouns to indicate who receives the action.
Select the right one based on the person
Singular (One Person)
Ella
Usted
To her
To formal you
Plural (Group)
Ellas
Uds.
To you all
The "Redundancy" Rule
Why do we repeat ourselves?
The pronoun "LE" is very vague. It can mean to him, to her, or to you. If I just say "Le doy el regalo", who receives it? Nobody knows!
That's why we add the name (a María) to clarify. But remember:
The pronoun (LE) CANNOT disappear. It is the Captain! 👮♂️
LE
The Pronoun
digo
The Verb
A JUAN
The Name
= "Le digo a Juan"
Where do I put it?
The placement depends on the number of verbs.
Only 1 Verb
Conjugated (Present, Past...)
The Rule:
Strictly BEFORE the verb.
"I speak to him."
"Hablole"
Never! ❌2 Verbs Combo
Conjugated + Infinitive / Gerund
You have 2 Options (Both are perfect!):
Before the first verb
Attached to the end
The Interpreter
Translate to Spanish. Remember: Pronoun + Clarification.
"I need to explain the problem to the client."
Hover to reveal
"Le necesito explicar... al cliente."
(Or: explicarle)
"We are going to give the money to the investors."
Hover to reveal
"Vamos a darles... a los inversores."
(Or: Les vamos a dar)
"I want to send the email to the boss."
Hover to reveal
"Quiero mandarle... al jefe."
(Or: Le quiero mandar)
"She has to tell the truth to her colleagues."
Hover to reveal
"Tiene que decirles... a sus colegas."
(Or: Les tiene que decir)
"We are going to show the house to Mom."
Hover to reveal
"Vamos a mostrarle... a mamá."
(Or: Le vamos a mostrar)
"The teacher explains the lesson to the students."
Hover to reveal
"El profesor les explica... a los estudiantes."
(Only 1 option here!)
2. The Error Hunter
Your colleague keeps forgetting the pronoun! Fix the 6 emails.
Email to Director
"Mañana voy a mandar el informe al director."
Tap to fix
Voy a mandarLE / LE voy a mandar
Email to Clients
"Queremos explicar la situación a los clientes."
Tap to fix
ExplicarLES / LES queremos explicar
Note to Secretary
"Por favor, tienes que dar la carta a la secretaria."
Tap to fix
DarLE / LE tienes que dar
Slack Message
"Estoy escribiendo un correo a mis colegas."
Tap to fix
EscribiéndoLES / LES estoy escribiendo
Formal Warning
"El jefe va a preguntar a usted mañana."
Tap to fix
PreguntarLE / LE va a preguntar
Finance Dept.
"Vamos a pagar el bono a los empleados."
Tap to fix
PagarLES / LES vamos a pagar
3. The Negotiation
You are a Real Estate Agent. Type the full sentence using the clues.
Box turns green when correct.
4. The Sentence Puzzle
The words are a mess! Put them in the correct order.
Level 1: One Verb
Level 2: Two Verbs (Infinite Possibilities)
Remember: You can put "te" before OR attached!
5. The Logic Match
Read the problem. Choose the logical solution.
Context:
"My brother has a headache."
Context:
"We are very cold."
Context:
"I am super hungry!"
Context:
"The kids are bored."
6. The Mixed Letter
Direct (lo, la, los, las) OR Indirect (me, te, le, nos, les)?
"Hola cariño,
¡Tengo buenas noticias! Por fin conseguí las entradas para el concierto. compré esta mañana por internet. Hint: I bought them (the tickets).
Quiero dar una sorpresa a ti este fin de semana. Hint: I want to give you a surprise.
Pero antes, tengo que llamar a mis padres. voy a contar nuestro plan secreto. Hint: I'm going to tell them.
Por favor, no olvides lavar el coche. necesitamos limpio para el viaje." Hint: We need it (the car) clean.
- Un beso. 😘
Excellent Job! 🌟
Homework Task
Write 3 sentences in your worksheet about your family.
Use: Comprar, Regalar, Decir.
Example:
"Yo le compro chocolate a mi hermano."
See you in the next class!