Indirect Object Pronouns - Pronomes Pessoais Complemento

Indirecto

What is it?

The indirect object is a noun, a nominal group, or pronoun that indicates to

whom or for whom the action of the verb is done.

How to identify and use indirect objects pronouns in English

They write Diana a letter.

What is the subject of the sentence?

What is the verb of the sentence?

Who is receiving the action of the verb?

To/For whom is that object being done?

They write Diana a letter.

Writing is the action. Who writes - (They) is the subject. What do they write

- a letter. Who do they write it to/for - Diana.

Diana is the indirect object pronoun.

Here is another example. Can you classify each of the words?

She gives the students the book.

subject

verb

direct object

indirect object

She gives the students the book.

In Portuguese the indirect object pronouns are as follows:

Me = to me

Te = to you (familiar)

Lhe = to you (formal)

to him to her

Nos = to us

Vos = to you (familiar plural)

Lhes = to you (formal plural)

to them

Now let’s take a look in Portuguese…

Eles escrevem uma carta à Diana.

What is the subject of the sentence?

What is the verb of the sentence?

Who is receiving the action of the verb?

To/For whom is that object being done?

Eles escrevem uma carta à Diana.

subject

verb

direct object

indirect object

Escrevem is the action. Who writes - (Eles) is the subject. What do they write - a letter. Who do they write it

to/for - Diana.

Diana is the indirect object pronoun.

Now we must substitute the direct object pronoun for the noun Diana.

Diana is 3rd person singular (to her) = lhe

Eles escrevem-lhe uma carta.

Now you try…

Ela dá o livro aos estudantes.

subject

verb

direct object

indirect object

Ela dá o livro aos estudantes.

Dá is the action. Who gives - (Ela) is the subject. What do they give - o livro. Who do

they give it to/for - estudantes.

Estudantes is the indirect object pronoun.

Now replace estudantes with the correct object pronoun.

Ela dá-lhes o livro.

Here are in the indirect object Rules that must be followed.

Regra #1

In an affirmative sentence, the direct object pronoun follows the verb separated by a hypen.

Exemplo: Eu dou-te o meu lápis.

Regra #2

The indirect object pronoun precedes the verb without a hypen when the verb is preceded by a

negative word, a question word, an adverb, and the conjuntions que and como.

Exemplos:

Ela não me dá um lápis.

Quem me dá um lápis.

Ela diz que me dá um lápis.

***Grammatical Note ***

In Portuguese, the indirect object pronoun is usually introduced by the preposition a, often in contraction with the definite articles to form ao, à, aos, às. The indirect object generally comes

after the direct object, whereas in English it precedes the direct object.

*** Cultural Note ***

In Brazil object pronouns more often precede the verb.

Now lets practice…

O Passageiro dá o bilhete à funcionária.

O Passageiro dá-lhe o bilhete.

A turista manda o dinheiro aos agentes de viagens.

A turista manda-lhes o dinheiro.

Ela dá a mala a mim.

Ela dá-me a mala.

Eu canto a canção lentamente para ti.

Eu te canto a canção lentamente.

What kind of word is lentamente?

Eu tiro a marcadora para vós.

Eu tiro-vos a marcadora.

Nós dizemos que trazemos o passaporte para eles.

Nós dizemos que lhes trazemos o passaporte.