Indirect Objects & Pronouns

In English, the Indirect Object follows the verb in an active voice sentence just as a Direct Object does. But the function of an Indirect Object is different. Instead of being the object of the action of the verb as a Direct Object does, the Indirect Object names the person or thing to whom or for whom the action is performed. We say that we write "to a person", or we did something "for a person", or that we take something or borrow something "from someone".

Let's look at an example: (Remember that sentences marked with * are grammatically incorrect.)

I give a ticket to the speeding, maniacal driver.

Let's take a look at the components of the sentence:

I = subject

give = transitive verb (transfers action to an object -requires an object)

the ticket = direct object (receives the action of TO GIVE) - it's what is given.

the speeding maniacal driver = the indirect object (this is to whom the ticket is given)

Now replace the Indirect Object "the speeding maniacal driver" with the Indirect Object Pronoun ("him" or "her"):

I give him [or her] a ticket.

him [or her]= is an Indirect object pronoun. It refers to the driver without naming him [or her].

Now we'll do a similar sentence in Spanish:

Yo le doy una boleta al chofer loco.

Let's take a look at the components of the sentence:

Yo = subject

doy = transitive verb (transfers action to an object -requires an object)

una boleta = direct object (receives the action of TO GIVE) - it's what is given.

el chofer loco = the indirect object (this is to whom the ticket is given)

Let's replace the Indirect Object [chofer] with the Indirect Object Pronoun [le].
We use le because chofer is singular. Le represents her, him, you [formal], it.

*Yo doy una boleta [le].

The "to" is understood since the object pronoun is in the Indirect form. And, like the Direct Object pronoun, in Spanish you must place the indirect object directly in front of the active (conjugated) verb:

Yo le doy una boleta.

"But wait!", you say, "the "le" was already there!" The sample sentence was "Yo le doy una boleta al chofer loco!"

This is because Spanish uses redundant object pronouns to specify the person to whom the speaker is referring. In English, we either use the pronoun or name the indirect object but not both:

"You give the money to Thomas." or "You give the money to him." But not: *"You give him the money to Thomas" .
I have to replace Thomas' name with the pronoun in English - I can't use both in English.

But we can use both the pronoun and the indirect object in Spanish!
In fact, even when you identify the person by name, you still use an Indirect Object pronoun:

Yo le doy el dinero a Tomás.

We cannot say * Yo doy el dinero a Tomás. We still need to use "le".
The "a Tomás " calarifies to whom you are referring specifically: we know that Le (him) refers to Tomás.
If I say, "Te doy el dinero" or "Sara nos dio la información" or even "Sara me escribió un email", we know who the indirect object is (You, us or me). It is with "le" and "les" that confusion can occur:

"Le di el libro" is vague if we don't already know exactly who I am talking about. It means "I gave the book to him or her."
"Le di el libro a Juan" is much clearer: I gave the book to Juan.
"Les mandé las cartas" is not as specific as "Les mandé las cartas a Ken y Barbie."

It all depends upon whether you need to clarify to whom you are referring.

Note that we use the Directional (prepositional) "a" when we add the indirect object:

Le di el libro a Antonio.
Me dio las flores a mí.
Nos describió la escena a nosotros.
Les mostró las fotos a los estudiantes.
Te dio un beso a ti.

Information on Pronoun Placement:

Pronouns are placed directly before a conjugated verb, even when we use a compound verb:
And, we can attach it also to the end of a present participle or an infinitive:

(We put an accent on dando to preserve the pronunciation.)

Indirect Object pronouns

Yo	Me	Nos	Nosotros
Tú	Te	Os	Vosotros
Él, ella, usted	Le	Les	Ellos, ellas, uds.

Note: There are no masculine or feminine Indirect Object Pronouns - only plural or singular! (Yay!)
Click here so we can look at MORE examples of Indirect Objects and Redundant pronouns!

Practice Indirect Objects on the Web!	Direct Objects	Double Object Pronouns	Back to the Gustar page!
Can you identify the direct and indirect pronouns in these pull-down menus?		Prepositional Pronouns: adding emphasis and clarity	Back to the Grammar Basics Page!