She accused him of emotionally abusing her.

Question

I'm trying to figure out how to best say this in Spanish, here's what I have so far:

Ella lo acusó de abusar de ella emocionalmente.

Am I close?

¡Mil gracias!

Answer 1

Yes, you are really, really close! I would say:

• Ella lo acusó de abusarla emocionalmente.

If who he is is unclear yu might want to add "a Juan" or whatever the name is. Then it is clear who she accused. - gringojrf, Feb 16, 2012

Le and lo always get me, lol. - Goldie_Miel, Feb 16, 2012

Here "him" makes it clear that the "accused" is male, therefore, "lo" unless the name is provided. - farallon7, Feb 16, 2012

Goldie... yes, it is possible to get muddled up between the direct and indirect object pronouns. I was thinking of ''le'' before I entered this thread but I would have got the rest correct :) - FELIZ77, Feb 16, 2012

@ Feliz: Thanks. @ farallon: So if it said that she accused "Michael", it would use "le"? - Goldie_Miel, Feb 16, 2012

If that is the case, it would be. Ella acusó a Michael de abusarla emocionalmente. - farallon7, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 2

And another common way to say it is "Lo acusó de haberla abusado emocionalmente."

"Ella" is not necessary unless there is doubt about who "la" is, or if "ella" is being used as emphasis.

Yes Julian, I can see that this would be correct looking back on something that had already taken place and had not continued but surely if she had accused him (once: preterite) of continually abusing her (ongoing action) then you would a different constr - FELIZ77, Feb 16, 2012

construction: - FELIZ77, Feb 16, 2012

I love the feeling "haber" gives to sentences. - Goldie_Miel, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 3

Interesting -- what article do you use here?

"lo acusó" uses the direct object "accuses him"

"le acusó" uses the indirect object "accuses to him"

I believe the first to be correct.

Había pensado lo mismo. Pero vi esto en el diccionario (he stands accused of... >> se le acusa de ...) y por eso, decidí usar "le". Pero me he equivocado. - Goldie_Miel, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 4

My guesses:

(Ella) le lo acusó del abuso emocional. | Le Lo acusó de maltratarla emocionalmente.

Answer 5

Does it sound better if it I use "abuse" as the noun and avoid the prepositional phrase "abusar de"?

Like this: Ella lo acusó del abuso...?

Prepositions tend to throw me off sometimes.

Thanks!

Answer 6

Hello millertime, I might say: "Ella le acusó de emocionalmente abusarla". From Jool.