Question 1

Why do we have both 'les' and 'a ellas' in this sentence? Isn't that saying 'to them' twice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is! In Spanish, it is completely normal and often required to use the indirect object pronoun (les) even when you specifically name the people receiving the action (a ellas). The les tells us the action is happening to or for someone, and a ellas clarifies exactly who that is.

Question 2

Since it is 'ellas' (feminine), why do we use 'les' instead of 'las'?

Accepted Answer

Because ellas are the indirect receivers of the action, not the direct thing being answered. For indirect objects, we always use le or les, regardless of whether the people are male or female. We only use las for feminine direct objects.

Question 3

Could we just say 'Respondemos la pregunta a ellas' and leave out 'les'?

Accepted Answer

No, that would sound very unnatural in Spanish. With verbs of communication like responder (to answer), when you name the indirect object at the end (a ellas), the pronoun before the verb (les) is grammatically required to match it.

Question 4

Is the word 'a' always required before 'ellas' here?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you spell out the indirect object to clarify exactly who is receiving the message, you must use the preposition a. Think of a ellas as meaning 'to them' or 'for them' in this context.

Les respondemos la pregunta a ellas.

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