Reflexive verb rules
What are the rules to reflexive verbs regarding whether to use the "se" or "me" before the verb as a separate word or to use the "se" or "me" at the end of the verb? For example, se poner vs ponarse.
I'm only using poner as an example, I'm not asking about specific uses of the word poner, but rather the rules associated with reflexive verbs. Also, I'm not asking about which context to use "me" vs "se"; just the reflexive verb rules as they relate to the placement of the pronoun in relation to the verb.
3 Answers
What are the rules to reflexive verbs regarding whether to use the "se" or "me" before the verb as a separate word or to use the "se" or "me" at the end of the verb? For example, se poner vs ponarse.
A reflexive pronoun is simply an object (or atonic) pronoun, and the same rules that govern the placement of object pronouns applies equally to the pronoun whether it coveys a reflexive meaning or not. That being said a few general guidelines are as follows:
Simple forms in both the indicative and subjunctive moods are typically preceded by such pronouns, as are negative forms of such verbs.
Se pone el sombrero --- He puts on his hat.
Se puso el sombrero --- He put on his hat.
Se ponía el sombrero cuando sonó el teléfono --- He was putting on his hat when the phone rang.
No se puso el sombrero --- He didn't put on his hat.
Atonic pronouns are attached to the end of verbs in the imperative mood and to the ends of simple forms of the infinitive and Spanish gerundio.
¡Ponte el sombrero! --- Put on your hat!
Al ponérselo se volvió invisible --- Upon putting it on, he became invisible.
Le respondí, poniéndome colorado, que no podía hacer más que orar. --- Turning red, I told him that I could do no more than to pray.
With certain verb phrases (perífrasis verbal) the atonic pronoun can appear either in front of the auxiliary verb or attached to the end of the impersonal form (infinitive or gerundio) that follows.
Se lo siguió poniendo --- He kept putting it on
Siguió poniéndoselo --- He kept putting it on
Se lo tiene que poner -- He has to put it on.
Tiene que ponérselo --- He has to put it on.
An exception to this "rule" is that the atonic pronoun may not precede the auxiliary verb if it is an impersonal verb
- Hay que ponérselo (Never: Se lo hay que poner) --- One must put it on.
With compound verb forms that use the auxiliary verb "haber," the pronoun may be placed before "haber" or if haber appears in the infinitive or gerundio form then the pronoun may be attached to the end of it.
Se lo ha puesto --- He has put it on.
Habiéndoselo poner salió de la casa y nunca regresó --- Having put it on, he left home and never returned. (Not: se lo habiendo...)
It´s not a rule but a matter of sentence structure.
Te peinaste bien.
Deberías peinarte, te ves bien feo / ¡Péinate, te ves bien feo!
Quiero bañarme / Me quiero bañar.
The placement of pronouns (reflexive or other) is generally before the verb. There are three exceptions. The pronoun(s) can be attached to the verb in the following three cases:
- Infinitives: Quiero bañarme.
- Present Participle: Estaba bañandome.
- Positve Imperatives: Báñate.
The one other thing is that the reflexive pronouns must match the person, i.e. 1st person = me voy, 2nd person = te vas, 3rd person = se va, etc. If the pronoun and the verb do not match then the verb is not being used reflexively.
