ofrecerle
oh-freh-SEHR-leh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Quiero ofrecerle mi ayuda con ese proyecto.
A2I want to offer him/her my help with that project.
Antes de irnos, necesitamos ofrecerle un café a la señora.
B1Before we leave, we need to offer the lady a coffee.
Es difícil ofrecerle más si no acepta esto.
B2It's difficult to offer him/her more if he/she doesn't accept this.
💡 Grammar Points
Structure: Verb + Pronoun
This word is the base verb 'ofrecer' (to offer) with the pronoun 'le' (to him/her/you formal) glued onto the end. This structure only happens when the verb is in the infinitive (the 'to do' form), the gerund ('-ing' form), or an affirmative command.
The Function of 'le'
'Le' tells you who receives the offer. Since 'le' can mean 'to him,' 'to her,' or 'to you (formal),' you often need to add 'a él,' 'a ella,' or 'a usted' for clarity, like: 'Voy a ofrecerle el asiento a ella' (I am going to offer HER the seat).
Placement Flexibility
When you have two verbs (like 'I want to offer'), you have a choice: you can attach the pronoun ('Quiero ofrecerle') or place it before the conjugated verb ('Le quiero ofrecer'). Both are correct!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'le' and 'lo'
Mistake: "Quiero ofrecerlo el libro."
Correction: Quiero ofrecerle el libro. ('Le' is used because the person is receiving the offer (indirect object), and 'el libro' is what is being offered (direct object).)
Forgetting the Accent Mark
Mistake: "ofrecerle (when used in commands)"
Correction: Ofrézcale el café. (When you attach pronouns to a command or gerund, you often need an accent mark to keep the original stress of the verb, but 'ofrecerle' itself doesn't need one because it's an infinitive.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'ofrecerle' Politely
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, 'ofrecer' is the standard polite way to present food, drink, or assistance to guests or elders. Always use the formal 'le' attached to sound respectful.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ofrecerle
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ofrecerle' (to offer him/her)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the base verb 'ofrecer' sometimes spelled 'ofrezco'?
The base verb 'ofrecer' is slightly irregular only in the 'yo' form of the present tense (and related tenses). The 'c' changes to 'zc' ('ofrezco') to keep a consistent 's' sound before the 'o', which is a very common pattern for '-cer' and '-cir' verbs.
Can I use 'ofrecerle' if I don't know the gender of the person?
Yes! 'Le' is perfect for this. Since it can mean 'to him,' 'to her,' or 'to you (formal),' it is gender-neutral when referring to a third person. If you need to make it clear, you add 'a él' or 'a ella' afterward.