Double Objects
When a sentence requires both a direct and an indirect object pronoun, the concept known as “Double Objects” comes into play.
Table of Contents
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to explain the difference between direct and indirect objects in Spanish and understand how these two elements interact in sentences that feature both. You will gain the ability to identify when a sentence requires the use of double object pronouns and will know how to replace the corresponding noun phrases with their appropriate pronouns. You will also be capable of structuring sentences correctly by positioning the indirect object pronoun before the direct object pronoun. Moreover, you will understand the transformation rule that changes “le” or “les” into “se”.
What Are Direct and Indirect Objects?
Direct Object (DO):
The thing or person directly receiving the action of the verb.
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comí la manzana. | I ate the apple. | Direct Object: la manzana | |
| La comí. | I ate it. | When using pronouns, “La” replaces “la manzana.” |
Indirect Object (IO):
The person (or sometimes thing) indirectly affected by the action.
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Di un regalo a mi madre. | I gave a gift to my mother. | Indirect Object: a mi madre | |
| Le di un regalo. | I gave her a gift. | When using pronouns, “Le” replaces “a mi madre.” |
These are straightforward situations involving single object pronouns. Sometimes, however, both a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun are needed in the same sentence.
Definition of Double Objects
Double objects occur when a sentence has both:
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A direct object pronoun (me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las)
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An indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les)
They appear together in front of a conjugated verb or attached to the end of certain verb forms such as infinitives, gerunds, or affirmative commands.
If any part of this explanation is unclear, remember that the idea is simply to express both who receives the action (IO) and what is being acted upon (DO) in one sentence.
Placement of Pronouns
1. Before a Conjugated Verb
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Example: Te lo doy.
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“Te” is the indirect object pronoun (to you).
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“Lo” is the direct object pronoun (it).
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“Doy” is the conjugated verb (I give).
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2. Attached to an Infinitive
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Example: Voy a dártelo.
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The pronouns are attached to the infinitive “dar” as dártelo.
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The order remains IO first (te) and then DO (lo).
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3. Attached to a Gerund
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Example: Estoy dándotelo.
- Both pronouns are attached to the gerund “dando” as dándotelo.
4. Attached to an Affirmative Command
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Example: Dámelo.
- The command form “da” carries the attached pronouns me (IO) + lo (DO).
Even when attached to a verb form, the pronouns are consistently ordered as IO first and DO second.
“Le” or “Les” Changing to “Se”
When an indirect object pronoun le or les is used together with a direct object pronoun that starts with an L (lo, la, los, las), le or les changes to “se” to avoid the awkward repetition of the L-sound.
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Incorrect: Le lo di
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Correct: Se lo di (I gave it to him/her/you)
Examples and Explanations
1. Te lo presto.
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Meaning: I lend it to you.
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Explanation:
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Te indicates to whom the action is directed (IO).
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Lo represents the object being lent (DO).
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2. Se la compré.
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Meaning: I bought it for him/her/you.
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Explanation:
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Se replaces le to avoid having two L-sounds in a row with la.
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La is the direct object, referring to what was bought.
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3. Nos los dieron ayer.
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Meaning: They gave them to us yesterday.
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Explanation:
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Nos is the indirect object, indicating who received the items.
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Los is the direct object, referring to the items themselves.
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Writing the full sentence, “Ellos dieron los [male objects] a nosotros ayer,” shows why the pronoun version (Nos los dieron ayer) is much more streamlined.
4. Voy a mostrártela.
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Meaning: I’m going to show it to you.
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Explanation:
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Te is the IO (to you), and la is the DO (it).
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The pronouns are attached to the end of the infinitive, forming mostrártela.
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For clarity, you could also say, “Te la voy a mostrar,” which separates the pronouns from the verb.
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5. Estábamos enseñándoselo.
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Meaning: We were showing it to him/her/you.
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Explanation:
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Se stands in for le the indirect object and lo is the direct object.
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The pronouns are attached to the gerund “enseñando,” forming enseñándoselo.
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Forgetting to Change “Le” or “Les” to “Se”
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Incorrect: Le lo doy.
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Correct: Se lo doy.
2. Using the Wrong Order of Pronouns
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Incorrect: Lo te doy.
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Correct: Te lo doy.
3. Placing Pronouns in the Wrong Spot
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Incorrect: Doy te lo.
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Correct: Te lo doy.
4. Confusion with Attached Pronouns
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Some learners mistakenly avoid attaching both pronouns to an infinitive or gerund.
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When in doubt, place the pronouns before the conjugated verb: Te lo voy a explicar instead of Voy a explicártelo. Both versions are correct, but separating them might feel simpler initially.
Conclusion
Although double objects might seem challenging at first, practicing these structures will help you internalize the patterns. Remember the fixed order of indirect before direct object pronouns and the rule for changing le or les to se when necessary. Consistent practice—constructing sentences like Se lo di or Te la envié—will help these structures become a natural part of your Spanish communication.