Putting things down and putting clothes on

The idea

Use poner to place something; use ponerse with a reflexive pronoun to put clothing on yourself.

Examples

• Pongo el libro en la mesa.I put the book on the table.
• Marta se pone el abrigo antes de salir.Marta puts on her coat before going out.
• Ponemos las flores junto a la ventana.We put the flowers by the window.
• Me pongo los zapatos para caminar.I put on my shoes to go walking.
• Luis pone las llaves en su bolso.Luis puts the keys in his bag.
• Nos ponemos sombreros cuando hace sol.We put on hats when it is sunny.

Watch out

Do not omit me, te, se, nos or os when the person puts clothing on themselves.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form. Ana ___ la taza en el estante. (pone / se pone)

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   pone

   pone: Ana places the cup on a shelf.

2. Choose the correct form. Yo ___ la chaqueta antes de salir. (pongo / me pongo)

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   me pongo

   me pongo: the speaker puts the jacket on their own body.

3. Choose the correct form. Nosotros ___ los guantes para trabajar. (ponemos / nos ponemos)

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   nos ponemos

   nos ponemos: the people speaking put gloves on themselves.

Use it today

Describe where you put an object and what you put on.