When to attach (in)direct obj. pronouns to the verb? (Example)

Question

"Yo tengo un sueño que no quiero. Puedo dártelo."

Can the above sentence also be written as "te lo puedo dar"? And is there a "most" grammatically correct way? Or a "most" formal/informal way?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum :-) - BradyLabuda, Feb 9, 2012

Thanks. :) - UnNouveauDepart, Feb 10, 2012

Answer 1

Usually both locations (before or attached) to the verb infinitive or the gerundio are allowed. There are situations where attachment to the verb infinitive is preferred.

When an infinitive is used as a noun — such as when it follows a preposition or is used as the subject of a sentence — attachment of the pronoun is required:

• Conocerte es amarte. (To know you is to love you.)
• Una manera muy simple de comprenderlo es observarlo. (A very simple way of understanding it is to observe it.)
  • Pulsa sobre la fotografía para verme con mi nueva familia. (Click on the photograph to see me with my new family.)

You may not split the pronouns up if there are more than one. (say putting the reflexive pronoun in front and any d.o.p. or i.o.p. attached to the infinitive is incorrect)

With affirmative commands the pronouns must be attached to the verb. With negative commands the pronouns must precede the verb.

Wow, thanks so much! Perfecto. - UnNouveauDepart, Feb 10, 2012

Answer 2

First off, I beleive either way is grammaticaly correct. My teacher who studied in Spain told us that its more "common" to say "Puedo dartelo" rather than "te lo puedo dar."

Since both variants are perfectly acceptable and correct, commonality of usage is determined by each individual speaker.

Thank you! - UnNouveauDepart, Feb 10, 2012

Answer 3

First off, I beleive either way is grammaticaly correct. My teacher who studied in Spain told us that its more "common" to say "Puedo dartelo" rather than "te lo puedo dar."

Thanks. - UnNouveauDepart, Feb 10, 2012