Pronouns with Commands
Attach object pronouns directly to the end of affirmative commands (e.g., ¡Dímelo! = Tell it to me!). If adding pronouns shifts the spoken stress away from the natural stressed syllable, add a written accent mark.
How It Works
When using pronouns with affirmative commands in Spanish, follow these fundamental rules:
1. Pronoun Attachment:
Unlike conjugated verbs in indicative statements where object pronouns usually go before the verb, affirmative commands require object pronouns (direct, indirect, or reflexive) to be attached directly to the end of the conjugated verb form, creating a single word.
Examples:
- ¡Dime! (Tell me!) - indirect object pronoun 'me' attached to di.
- ¡Cómelo! (Eat it!) - direct object pronoun 'lo' attached to come.
2. Written Accent Mark Rule:
Spanish words follow strict accentuation rules. Attaching one or two pronouns adds extra syllables to the command. To preserve the emphasis on the original verb stem's stressed vowel, add a written accent mark (tilde) if the command becomes three or more syllables long.
- ¡Compra! (stress on 'com') + lo = ¡Cómpralo!
- ¡Escribe! (stress on 'cri') + la = ¡Escríbela!
3. Pronoun Order:
When using both an indirect and a direct object pronoun together, the indirect pronoun always comes first.
Example:
- ¡Dámelo! (Give it to me!) - 'me' (indirect) + 'lo' (direct) attached to da.
If both pronouns start with 'l' (e.g., le lo), change the indirect pronoun to se as detailed in double object pronouns:
- ¡Dáselo! (Give it to him/her/them!).
4. Contrast with Negative Commands:
This attachment rule applies ONLY to affirmative commands! For negative commands, pronouns are placed before the verb as separate words. For details, see pronouns with negative commands.
Examples (5)
- ¡Dímelo ahora mismo!
Tell it to me right now!
Word by Word: Tell-to me-it right now!
The indirect pronoun 'me' and direct pronoun 'lo' are attached to the command 'di'. An accent mark is added to preserve original stress.
- ¡Cómprala en la tienda!
Buy it at the store!
Word by Word: Buy-it at the store!
The direct object pronoun 'la' attaches directly to 'compra'. The accent mark on 'Cómprala' maintains stress on 'com'.
- ¡Lávate las manos antes de comer!
Wash your hands before eating!
Word by Word: Wash-yourself the hands before of to eat!
The reflexive pronoun 'te' attaches to the affirmative command 'lava', with an accent mark added to 'lá'.
- ¡Escríbanos pronto!
Write to us soon!
Word by Word: Write-to us soon!
The indirect object pronoun 'nos' attaches to the formal command 'escriba' (usted).
- ¡Dáselo a tu hermano!
Give it to your brother!
Word by Word: Give-to him-it to your brother!
Indirect pronoun 'le' becomes 'se' before direct pronoun 'lo', both attaching to 'da' with an accent mark.
Common Mistakes
Using me lo di when you want to tell someone to say it to you.
Different Meaning¡Me lo di ahora!¡Dímelo ahora!Me lo di ahora is a good sentence: it means I gave it to myself now (di is the preterite of dar). To command someone to say it to you, the pronouns attach to the end of the affirmative command: Dímelo ahora.
Forgetting to add a written accent mark when attaching pronouns to commands.
¡Compralo!¡Cómpralo!Adding a pronoun adds a syllable, moving the natural stress away from the original verb stem unless an accent mark is written on the original stressed vowel.
Reversing the order of indirect and direct object pronouns when attaching both.
¡Dólame!¡Dámelo!Indirect object pronouns always precede direct object pronouns when attached together.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To attach pronouns to affirmative commands, a learner must already be comfortable forming the commands themselves (like the 'tú' form) and be familiar with object pronouns. Understanding that pronouns usually go before conjugated verbs helps the learner recognize that affirmative commands are a special case where the pronoun is appended to the end.
- habla/come/escribeAffirmative Tú Commands
Learners must first know how to form affirmative commands before they can attach pronouns to them.
Level 2 - Object Pronoun Position
Learners need to understand the standard placement of pronouns to appreciate how affirmative commands differ by requiring attachment.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- pon/ven/ten/sal/di/haz/ve/séIrregular Tú Commands
Covers irregular informal commands that frequently take attached pronouns like 'dime' or 'hazlo'.
Level 2 - lo/la/los/lasDirect Object Pronouns
Explains the direct object pronouns that attach to affirmative commands.
Level 2 - le/lesIndirect Object Pronouns
Explains the indirect object pronouns used when attaching recipient pronouns to commands.
Level 2 - se lo/se la/se los/se lasDouble Object Pronouns
Covers the rule where indirect 'le/les' changes to 'se' when attached alongside direct object pronouns.
Level 2 - Pronouns with Negative Commands
Provides the contrasting rule where pronouns are placed before the verb in negative commands.
Level 3
Practice Pronouns with Commands in Bubblegum
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