Reciprocal Verbs and Reciprocal Pronouns

Big Idea

Reciprocal Verbs and Reciprocal Pronouns is about tracking who receives the action.

Verbs are the engine of a sentence. Start with the moment in time, then choose the form that carries that moment.

Examples

Example 1

Yo estudio.
I study.

Notice Yo: Subject pronoun: who does it.

Example 2

Lo veo.
I see it/him.

Notice Lo: Direct object: what or whom receives the action.

Example 3

Le escribo.
I write to him/her.

Notice Le: Indirect object: to or for whom.

1. Step 1: Read the Spanish example out loud.
2. Step 2: Name the job of the grammar pattern in one phrase.
3. Step 3: Change one noun, verb, or person and say the sentence again.

Watch for this: The trap is trying to master the whole topic at once. Learn the center first; the exceptions make more sense after that.

With Reciprocal Verbs and Reciprocal Pronouns, begin with meaning and time. The ending is there to serve the sentence.