Objeto indirecto with decir in the preterite

Overview

The structure is simple: indirect object pronoun + decir in the preterite + what was said. Le dije la verdad means I told him or her the truth.

• Le dije la verdad. → I told him the truth.
• Nos dijeron la hora. → They told us the time.

Cómo/cuándo lo usamos

Tell information to someone

Use this pattern when the person receives information, news, an answer, or a warning.

• Te dije la dirección. → I told you the address.
• Nos dijeron la noticia. → They told us the news.

Use a + person for clarity

Add a mí, a ti, a él, a ella, or a ellos when le or les could be unclear.

• Le dije a Ana que no. → I told Ana no.
• Les dije a mis amigos la verdad. → I told my friends the truth.

Estructura

Oraciones.

Afirmativas

• Le escribo a Ana. → I write to Ana.
• Me dieron una respuesta. → They gave me an answer.
• Nos mandaron el archivo. → They sent us the file.
• Les expliqué el problema. → I explained the problem to them.

Negativas

• No le dije nada. → I did not tell him anything.
• Ella no me respondió. → She did not answer me.
• No nos enviaron la dirección. → They did not send us the address.
• No les gustó la idea. → They did not like the idea.

Forma de pregunta

• ¿Me mandaste el enlace? → Did you send me the link?
• ¿Le escribiste a tu jefe? → Did you write to your boss?
• ¿Nos explican el plan? → Do they explain the plan to us?
• ¿Les diste el número? → Did you give them the number?

Ejercicios