Capítulo 8 Indefinite and negative words, indirect object pronouns

The most commonly used negative and indefinite words:

Negative and indefinite words

In Spanish, it is possible to use multiple negative words in one sentence. When a negative word follows the verb, it’s necessary to place no or another negative word in front of the verb— making it a double negative.

• No plancho nunca.
  I never iron.

• No hay ni escoba ni aspiradora aquí.
  There is neither a broom nor a vacuum here.

• Nunca le das nada a nadie.
  You never give anything to anyone.

The negative words jamás, nunca, and tampoco can be placed directly before the verb. Nada and nadie can only be placed before the verb if its used as the subject.

• Nadie está lavando ropa ahora.
  No one is washing clothes now.

• Nada es imposible.
  Nothing is impossible.

• Tampoco hago la cama.
  I don’t make my bed either.

The indefinite words algún, alguno(s), alguna(s), and the negative words ningún, ninguno(s), and ninguna(s) function similarly to the indefinite articles un(os) and una(s). Notice that they must agree in number and gender with the noun they refer to.
When using the negative, the singular form is generally used.

• Tengo algunas camisas que planchar. ¿Y tú?
  No, no tengo ninguna camisa. (No, no tengo ninguna.)

• ¿Tienes trapos?
  No, no tengo ningún trapo. (No, no tengo ninguno.)

While it is correct to use algunos(as) in front of a plural noun, it is much more common to use unos(as) or to omit the article. Algunos(as) tends to be used more frequently as a pronoun.
Necesito plantas para el jardín. ¿Tiene algunas?

Indirect object pronouns

An indirect object is usually a person and tells to whom or for whom something is done.

• Él siempre le dice la verdad a su novia.
  He always tells the truth to his girlfriend. (to whom the truth is told)

• Le compro un regalo a mi amigo.
  I am buying a gift for my friend. (for whom the gift is bought)

When using the indirect object pronoun, it’s possible to add a + prepositional pronoun or a + noun to either clarify or emphasize. Although it may seem repetitive, it is necessary to include the indirect object pronoun, even if the indirect object is clearly identified.

• Alberto le dio una cometa a su sobrino.
  Alberto gave a kit to his nephew.

• Jorge me escribió a mí.
  Jorge wrote to me. (not to someone else)

As with direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns are placed in front of a conjugated verb or can be attached to an infinitive or a present participle.

• Le pregunté cuánto cuesta.
  I asksed him/her how much it costs.

• Voy a contarte un chiste.
  I’m going to tell you a joke.

• Mi hijo está mostrándole su nueva patineta a su amigo.
  My son is showing his new skateboard to his friend.

The following are some of the verbs that are frequently used with indirect object pronouns:

Gustar always takes the indirect object pronoun and is conjugated according to subject that follows it.

• A él le gustan los carritos.
  He likes the cars. (The cars are pleasing to him.)

• A los niños no les gusta esta historia.
  The children don’t like this story.

The following verbs are similar to gustar in this manner. They take an indiret object pronoun and are conjugated according to the subject.

• aburrir to bore

• caer bien / caer mal to like / dislike (a person)

• encantar to really like; to enjoy immensely

• fascinar to fascinate

• importar to be important

• interesar to interest

• molestar to bother