Using the pronoun "le"

Question

I would like to ask about using the pronouns properly. In the reference section about prepositions I have found two similar examples: 1 Le di el regalo a Celia. 2. Compré los tomates a Anita. I am wondering why the pronoun “le” has been not used in the second sentence similarly (by analogy) to the first sentence? Thank you in advance for your explanation!

Answer 1

You can say "Le compré los tomates a Anita" and "Di el regalo a Celia" too. It's the same.

I would use "le" in both. Sounds odd otherwise. - DualG, Jan 29, 2014

I agree, it sounds odd but only because we always use this pronoun, but gramatically it is only necessary when the IO comes before the verb, ie: "A Celia le di el regalo" - 005faa61, Jan 29, 2014

Answer 2

Just to be 100% sure that I understand the issue correctly - according to gramma rules we have to use the pronoun “le” (or others depending on a sentence) if IO is placed before the verb, otherwise this pronoun could be omitted and the sentence will be still correct. However, native speakers usually use “le” regardless of its place in the sentence and that’s why the sentence without this pronoun sounds to them a bit strange. Am I right JulianChivi?

Thank you very much for all the answers given to my question!