Question 1

When do I use 'el' vs 'la' in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Use 'el' with masculine singular nouns (e.g., el libro) and 'la' with feminine singular nouns (e.g., la mesa). However, if a feminine singular noun begins with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound, use 'el' for phonetic reasons (e.g., el agua, el hacha), but the noun remains feminine. For plural, use 'los' for masculine and 'las' for feminine.

Question 2

Do I always need to use subject pronouns like 'yo' or 'tú'?

Accepted Answer

No, in Spanish subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending tells you who the subject is. For example, 'hablo' means 'I speak' without needing 'yo'. Use subject pronouns for emphasis, contrast, or clarity (e.g., 'Yo hablo español, pero él habla inglés').

Question 3

What's the difference between 'lo' and 'le'?

Accepted Answer

'Lo' is a direct object pronoun meaning 'it' (masculine) or 'him' (e.g., 'Lo veo' — I see him/it). 'Le' is an indirect object pronoun meaning 'to him/her/you (formal)' (e.g., 'Le doy el libro' — I give the book to him/her/you). Remember: 'le' is for the recipient, 'lo' is for the thing/person directly acted upon.

Question 4

How do I use possessive pronouns like 'mío' and 'tuyo'?

Accepted Answer

Possessive pronouns replace a noun + possessive adjective. They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. For example, 'Este libro es mío' (This book is mine) — 'mío' is masculine singular to match 'libro'. Forms: mío/a/os/as, tuyo/a/os/as, suyo/a/os/as, nuestro/a/os/as, vuestro/a/os/as. They are often used with 'el/la/los/las' (e.g., 'el mío' — mine).

Question 5

What is the 'se' pronoun used for?

Accepted Answer

'Se' has several uses: as a reflexive pronoun for third person (e.g., 'Él se lava' — He washes himself), as a reciprocal pronoun (e.g., 'Ellos se escriben' — They write to each other), and in impersonal or passive constructions (e.g., 'Se habla español' — Spanish is spoken). It also replaces 'le/les' when followed by 'lo/la/los/las' (e.g., 'Se lo doy' instead of 'Le lo doy').

Question 6

When do I attach pronouns to the end of a verb?

Accepted Answer

Pronouns are attached to infinitives (e.g., 'quiero comprarlo' — I want to buy it), gerunds (e.g., 'estoy comprándolo' — I am buying it), and affirmative commands (e.g., 'Cómpralo' — Buy it). For negative commands, the pronoun comes before the verb (e.g., 'No lo compres'). In other tenses, pronouns go before the conjugated verb.

Vocabulary: Articles and pronouns

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL GCSE Spanish

Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

Grammar: Adverbs and adverbial phrases

Grammar: Derivational morphology

Grammar: Nouns, pronouns and determiners

How to Revise Vocabulary: Articles and pronouns — Edexcel GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Vocabulary: Articles and pronouns

Common Mistakes in Vocabulary: Articles and pronouns

Key Marking Points