pronouns: after prep

Spanish Prepositional Pronouns

Prepositional pronouns are the pronouns used directly after a preposition (words like para, de, en, or con). While most of them look exactly like the subject pronouns you already know (like él or nosotros), the first and second person singular forms change.

The Forms

• mí (me) – Note the accent mark to distinguish it from mi (my).
• ti (you) – No accent mark is used here.
• él / ella / usted (him / her / it / you formal)
• nosotros / nosotras (us)
• vosotros / vosotras (you all)
• ellos / ellas / ustedes (them / you all formal)
• sí (himself / herself / itself / themselves) – Reflexive form.

Basic Usage

You use these pronouns immediately following most prepositions.

• Este regalo es para mí. (This gift is for me.)
• Ellos hablan de ti. (They are talking about you.)
• Lo hicimos sin él. (We did it without him.)

Special Combinations with "Con"

When the preposition con (with) is combined with mí, ti, or sí, they merge into special, single words.

• con + mí = conmigo (with me)
• con + ti = contigo (with you)
• con + sí = consigo (with himself/herself/themselves)

Examples:

• ¿Quieres venir conmigo? (Do you want to come with me?)
• Voy al cine contigo. (I am going to the movies with you.)
• Lleva el dinero consigo. (He carries the money with him/with himself.)

Note: For other pronouns, con remains separate (e.g., con nosotros, con ella).

Exceptions: The "Six Special Prepositions"

There is an important exception. After the following six specific prepositions, you must use the subject pronouns (yo, tú) instead of the prepositional forms (mí, ti):

• entre (between)
• excepto (except)
• incluso (including/even)
• menos (except/less)
• salvo (save for/except)
• según (according to)

Examples:

• Entre tú y yo, no creo que sea verdad. (Between you and me, I don't think it's true.)
• Todos van menos tú. (Everyone is going except you.)
• Según tú, es fácil. (According to you, it is easy.)

Clarification and Emphasis

Prepositional pronouns are often used with the preposition a to clarify or emphasize an indirect or direct object pronoun.

• Me gusta el café a mí. (I like coffee – emphasizing "I").
• Le toca a ella. (It's her turn – clarifying "le").
• A ti no te aprecian. (They don't appreciate you – emphasizing "you").