Using Object Pronouns with Commands

Notes:

  1. The written lesson is below.
  2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

 

With all affirmative commands, the object pronouns are attached directly to the end of the imperative form of the verb.

Compre Ud. el anillo.
Buy the ring.

Cómprelo Ud.
Buy it.

Traiga Ud. las cartas.
Bring the letters.

Tráigalas Ud.
Bring them.

If both direct and indirect object pronouns are attached, the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun.

Cómprelo Ud.
Buy it.

Cómpremelo Ud.
Buy it for me.

Tráigalas Ud.
Bring them.

Tráigaselas Ud.
Bring them to her.

Note that in order to maintain the original stress of the verb, a written accent is often needed. If the command has more than one syllable, a written accent is required when one or more pronoun is added.

Command: compre (two syllables)

cómprelos
cómpremelos

If the command has only one syllable, a written accent is only necessary when two pronouns are added.

Command: haz (one syllable)

hazlo (one pronoun, no accent required)
házmelo (two pronouns, accent is required)

These rules for accentuation apply to all affirmative imperative forms.

Hágamelo Ud.
Házmelo.

Hágalo Ud.
Hazlo.

With all negative commands, the object pronouns come before the imperative form of the verb.

No compre Ud. el anillo.
Don’t buy the ring.

No lo compre.
Don’t buy it.

No traiga Ud. las cartas.
Don’t bring the letters.

No las traiga.
Don’t bring them.

If there are both direct and indirect object pronouns, the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun.

No me lo compre.
Don’t buy it for me.

No se las traiga.
Don’t bring them to her.

Remember the rule regarding two object pronouns: whenever both pronouns begin with the letter “l” change the first pronoun to “se.”

le lo = se lo
le la = se la
le los = se los
le las = se las
les lo = se lo
les la = se la
les los = se los
les las = se las

Let’s add a flashcard for pronoun placement when using commands:

Verb Flashcards
Complete List

Pronoun placement with commands

Affirmative commands: attach to verb
Negative commands: precede verb

Tráigaselas.
No se las traiga.