Reciprocal Verbs and Reciprocal Pronouns

Be gentle with this pattern. Spanish grows fastest when one small idea gets practiced with care.

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.

How To Practice

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.

Common Trap

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.

Remember

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