Direct Object Pronouns

Direct objects receive the action of the verb and generally respond to the questions of “What?” or “Whom?” For example: “He wrote the letters to Sarah”; the direct object noun is “letters”. Remember pronouns are words that replace nouns so changing the direct object noun “letters” into a direct object pronoun, in this case “them”,  would read as: “He wrote them to Sarah”. In Spanish, direct object pronouns are consistent with the gender, person and number of the direct object nouns they substitute.

Examples:
1. ¿El libro? No lo necesito hasta mañana. – The book? No, I don’t need it until tomorrow

2. Nos llamaron ayer con uena noticia. – They called us yesterday with good news.

3. ¿Los vestidos negros son tuyos? Si, los son. – Are the black dresses yours? Yes, they are.

4. Te lo traigo. – I will bring it to you.

5. Te dio mis llaves. – He gave you my keys.

NOTE: Direct object pronouns are usually placed before a conjugated verb. In a sentence with both a conjugated verb and an infinitive or present participle (-ando and –iendo) the direct object pronouns may either be placed before the conjugated verb or be added to the end of the verb in the infinitive or present participle.

Examples:

(Infinitive)
1. Ese libro es viejo, lo puedes botar. / Ese libro es viejo, puedes botarlo. – That book is old, you can throw it away.

2. Tevoy a ayudar en un momento. / Voy a ayudarte en un momento. – I will be right with you in a moment (I am going to help you in a while).

(Present Participle- ING)

3. ¿Dónde están las llaves? Las estoy buscando/ Estoy buscándolas. – Where are the keys? I am looking for them.

4. ¿Están preparando la cena? Sí, la estamos preparando/Sí, estamos preparándola. – Are you guys preparing dinner? Yes we are preparing it.

NOTE: Lo is also used as a neuter pronoun and may refer to an idea or characteristic previously stated (including feminine nouns).
Examples:
1. ¡Esta mesa es muy caro! Sí, lo es. – This table is very expensive! Yes it is.

2. Es más seguro vivir con familia que vivir sola. Sí lo sé. – It’s safer to live with family than to live alone. Yes I know.

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