Pronouns with Infinitives
In Spanish, you can attach object and reflexive pronouns to the end of an infinitive verb to form a single word.
How It Works
Attach To The Infinitive
Write the pronoun together with the infinitive: comprar + lo → comprarlo; decir + me → decirme; lavar + se → lavarse. This applies to direct objects, indirect objects, and reflexive and pronominal uses. A pronominal verb need not describe an action performed on oneself.
When Both Positions Are Available
With constructions such as querer, poder, ir a, and tener que, an infinitive's pronoun can often precede the finite verb instead: Quiero comprarlo / Lo quiero comprar; Voy a ducharme / Me voy a duchar. Keep a two-pronoun group together: Quiero decírtelo / Te lo quiero decir. Do not duplicate the same pronoun in both positions.
The Construction Matters
In Conviene hacerlo, the infinitive clause is the subject; the alternative Lo conviene hacer does not express that structure. Likewise, Es importante hacerlo bien keeps lo on hacer. With a prepositional complement such as Insistí en verlo, lo does not move in front of insistí. Learn each pattern rather than moving a pronoun across every finite verb.
After A Preposition
In Salí sin verte and Estudio para aprenderlo, attach the pronoun to the infinitive in the prepositional clause. This is different from the a that is part of the periphrasis ir a: Lo voy a hacer is valid.
Compound Infinitives
A compound infinitive attaches the pronoun to haber: Después de haberlo leído. The participle leído does not take the pronoun in this ordinary modern construction.
Accent And Pronoun Order
The resulting word follows ordinary written-accent rules: comprarlo has no written accent, while decírmelo does. The stressed syllable remains that of the infinitive. With two object pronouns, an indirect-object form precedes the direct object, with le/les changing to se before lo/la/los/las. Compare dar + se + lo → dárselo.
Examples (5)
- Quiero comprarlo.
I want to buy it.
Word by Word: I want to buy it.
The direct object pronoun 'lo' (it) is attached to the end of the infinitive 'comprar'. The alternative is 'Lo quiero comprar'.
- Voy a ducharme ahora.
I'm going to shower now.
Word by Word: I go to to shower myself now.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' (myself) is attached to the infinitive 'duchar'. The alternative is 'Me voy a duchar ahora'.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor?
Can you help me, please?
Word by Word: Can you to help me, please?
The pronoun 'me' is attached to 'ayudar'. The alternative is '¿Me puedes ayudar, por favor?'
- Es importante hacerlo bien.
It's important to do it well.
Word by Word: Is important to do it well.
The infinitive clause hacerlo bien is the subject of es importante. Lo belongs to hacer and stays attached; it does not move before es.
- Tenemos que terminarla hoy.
We have to finish it today.
Word by Word: We have that to finish it today.
The direct object pronoun 'la' (referring to a feminine noun like 'la tarea') is attached to 'terminar'. The alternative is 'La tenemos que terminar hoy'.
Common Mistakes
Placing the pronoun between the two verbs.
Quiero lo comprar.Quiero comprarlo.In this querer construction, choose Quiero comprarlo or Lo quiero comprar. Separate lo immediately before the infinitive is not the ordinary modern order. This rule concerns the pronoun belonging to comprar, not every pronoun that might belong to a different verb in a longer sentence.
Not attaching the pronoun after a preposition.
Salí sin te ver.Salí sin verte.Here sin introduces the infinitive clause verte, so te is attached to ver. Do not confuse this with ir a or another periphrasis whose pronoun can precede its finite auxiliary.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand how pronouns attach to the end of infinitives, learners must first be familiar with the object pronouns themselves (direct or indirect) and the concept of an infinitive verb. It is also helpful to understand the standard rule of placing pronouns before conjugated verbs to recognize attachment as a specific grammatical variation used with non-conjugated forms.
- Object Pronoun Position
Understanding the standard placement of pronouns before conjugated verbs provides the necessary contrast for learning the alternative placement (attachment) with infinitives.
Level 2 - querer + InfinitiveWant to
This pattern provides a common syntactic context (a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive) where pronoun attachment frequently occurs.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- lo/la/los/lasDirect Object Pronouns
These are the direct object pronouns that you will frequently attach to infinitives to indicate 'who' or 'what' receives the action of the verb.
Level 2 - le/lesIndirect Object Pronouns
These are the indirect object pronouns that can be attached to infinitives to indicate 'to whom' or 'for whom' an action is done.
Level 2 - me/te/se/nos/os/seReflexive Pronouns
These forms occur in reflexive and pronominal constructions. Some express an action on oneself; others form part of a verb with another established meaning. The pronoun still follows the infinitive.
Level 1 - ir + a + InfinitiveNear Future
Ir a presents a prospective action or intention, not necessarily an imminent one. The pronoun can attach to the infinitive or precede the finite ir form.
Level 1
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