B1 Spanish GrammarAdvanced Pronoun Usage
Master advanced Spanish pronoun constructions: redundant pronouns, emphatic structures, pronoun order with multiple verbs, leísmo/laísmo, and special uses of lo as neuter pronoun.
1Redundant Pronouns
Spanish often uses 'redundant' pronouns even when the object is explicitly stated. This is required with indirect objects and common with direct objects for emphasis or focus. It's grammatically correct and stylistically normal.
Redundant Pronoun Patterns
| Type | Required/Optional | Example |
|---|---|---|
| indirect + a + noun | required | Le di el libro a María |
| indirect + a mí/ti/etc | required | Me gusta a mí |
| direct (emphasis) | optional | Lo vi a Juan |
| direct (focus) | optional | A María la conozco bien |
Examples
Le dije la verdad a mi madre.
I told the truth to my mother.
le redundant with a mi madre
A mí me parece bien.
It seems fine to me.
me + a mí for emphasis
A Juan lo vi ayer.
I saw Juan yesterday.
lo + a Juan (topicalized)
A los niños les encanta el helado.
Children love ice cream.
les + a los niños (required)
2Neuter Lo
Lo can refer to abstract ideas, previously mentioned concepts, or clauses. Lo + adjective means 'the ... thing/part'. Lo que means 'what' or 'that which'. Lo de means 'the matter of'.
Neuter Lo Uses
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| lo + adjective | the ... part/thing | lo bueno, lo importante |
| lo que | what, that which | Lo que dices es verdad |
| lo de | the matter of | lo de ayer |
| lo + ser/estar | refers to idea | Sí, lo sé |
Examples
Lo mejor de la película es el final.
The best part of the movie is the ending.
lo + adjective
No entiendo lo que dices.
I don't understand what you're saying.
lo que = what
Lo de tu hermano me preocupa.
The matter with your brother worries me.
lo de = the issue of
¿Es difícil? — Sí, lo es.
Is it difficult? — Yes, it is.
lo refers back to difícil
3Pronouns with Verb Chains
With auxiliary + infinitive/gerund, pronouns can go before the conjugated verb OR attached to the non-finite form. Both positions are correct. With two infinitives, attach to the second.
Pronoun Position Options
| Structure | Position 1 | Position 2 |
|---|---|---|
| aux + infinitive | Lo quiero hacer | Quiero hacerlo |
| aux + gerund | Lo estoy haciendo | Estoy haciéndolo |
| two auxiliaries | Lo voy a poder hacer | Voy a poder hacerlo |
| double pronouns | Te lo voy a dar | Voy a dártelo |
Examples
Te lo puedo explicar. / Puedo explicártelo.
I can explain it to you.
both positions correct
Se lo estamos diciendo. / Estamos diciéndoselo.
We're telling it to him.
accent on diciéndoselo
No me lo quiere decir.
He doesn't want to tell me.
pronouns before negated verb
Voy a tener que comprármelo.
I'm going to have to buy it for myself.
attached to final infinitive
4Leísmo and Regional Variation
Leísmo (using le for direct objects referring to male people) is accepted by RAE in Spain. Laísmo/loísmo (using la/lo for indirect objects) are considered incorrect. Latin America generally uses lo/la for direct objects.
Regional Pronoun Use
| Context | Standard | Leísmo (Spain) |
|---|---|---|
| male person (DO) | Lo vi (I saw him) | Le vi (I saw him) |
| female person (DO) | La vi (I saw her) | La vi (same) |
| thing (DO) | Lo compré (I bought it) | Lo compré (same) |
| any (IO) | Le di (I gave to him/her) | Le di (same) |
Examples
A Pedro lo/le vi ayer. (both accepted)
I saw Pedro yesterday.
leísmo for male person
A María la vi en la fiesta.
I saw María at the party.
la for female (universal)
El libro, lo compré en la librería.
The book, I bought it at the bookstore.
lo for things (universal)
Le di el regalo a mi madre.
I gave the gift to my mother.
le for indirect (universal)