Pronouns after prepositions: para mí, contigo
A2Grammar path · Lesson 33 of 86 · Stage A2 · Object pronouns
When a pronoun comes after a preposition like para, de, sin or a, Spanish uses a special set of forms. Only two words change: yo becomes mí and tú becomes ti, so you say para mí and sin ti. All the others (él, ella, usted, nosotros, ustedes, ellos) look exactly like subject pronouns. With con, the first two merge into one word: conmigo and contigo. The classic mistake is using subject pronouns here, as in 'para yo' or 'con tú'. If a preposition comes right before the pronoun, switch to mí or ti. Remember that mí carries an accent to tell it apart from the possessive mi.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
preposición + mí / ti / él / ella / usted / nosotros / ustedes / ellosconmigo / contigo / con él / con ella / con nosotros / con ustedes¿... + preposición + pronombre?entre tú y yo / según tú / excepto yoWhen to use it
After common prepositions
After para, de, sin, por, en and similar words, use mí, ti and the other prepositional forms. This is how you say who something is for or who you are talking about.
Being with someone: conmigo, contigo
With con you never say 'con mí' or 'con ti'; use conmigo and contigo. The other persons stay separate: con él, con nosotros, con ustedes.
Emphasis or contrast with a mí, a ti
A + pronoun is added to stress or clarify who is meant, especially with gustar. The object pronoun me, te, le still stays in the sentence.
Pronouns after a preposition
Signal words
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
Why does mí have an accent but ti doesn't?
The accent on mí separates it from the possessive mi (mi casa). ti has no look-alike word, so it needs no accent.
Can I say con mí or con yo?
No. You must say conmigo and contigo. The other persons are regular: con él, con ella, con ustedes.
Is it entre tú y yo or entre ti y mí?
The correct form is entre tú y yo. After entre, según, excepto, menos and incluso, Spanish uses yo and tú, not mí and ti.
Why say a mí me gusta when me is already there?
a mí adds emphasis or contrast, like 'I, for my part, like it'. me is required, while a mí is optional.
Do él, nosotros and ustedes change after a preposition?
No. They stay the same as the subject pronouns: para él, sin nosotros, con ustedes. Only yo and tú change.