how do i use reflexive pronouns?
For example: Ellos ________ a comer. ( using prepararse to fill in the blank)
I know you have to use me, te,se, and nos.. but im sure. please help! thank you!
2 Answers
In reflexive use, the reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence.
Ellos is the subject of the sentence in your example.
You need to use the appropriate reflexive pronoun to refer back to the personal pronoun ellos. Ellos is the 3rd person, plural, personal pronoun so you need to use the 3rd person, plural reflexive pronoun which is se.
The verb is conjugated as normal and the reflexive pronoun is placed in front of the verb. Any object pronouns that may be in the sentence are placed between the reflexive pronoun and the verb.
In your example:
Ellos se preparan a comer.
It seems easier for beginners to think of that se as themselves, so feel free.
They prepare [themselves] to eat.
I prepare [myself] to eat.
Yo me preparo a comer.
(a little awkward phrased. In English we would probably say I am preparing myself to eat.)
subject= yo (1st person, singular personal pronoun so I need the 1st person, singular reflexive pronoun)=me
The verb is conjugated normally.
You (familiar) are preparing [yourself] to eat.
Tú te preparas a comer.
subject =tú (2nd person, singular personal pronoun) so you need the 2nd person singular, reflexive pronoun.=te
The verb is conjugated normally.
See the pattern now?
Let's try a harder one.
We put on [ourselves] our shoes.
What is the subject of the sentence? We or Nosotros
Nosotros is the 1st person, plural personal pronoun so we need the 1st person, plural reflexive verb =nos
The verb is conjugated normally.
Nosotros nos ponemos los zapatos.
Spanish uses the definite article in place of possessive adjectives with articles of clothing and body parts unless confusion arises, so it is not nuestros zapatos, but that has nothing to do with our topic.
Remember if it helps to think of the me, te, se, nos, os, se as myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves, go for it. Later on that will probably come back to haunt you, but it may help you in the beginning..
Me gusta estar feliz te esperare siempre se lo dire porque debe saberlo nos alegra verte do you need examples ?? or grammar explanation ?
