Download Direct Object Pronouns - Central City Public Schools

Direct Object Pronouns
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that “receives” the action of the verb. A
direct object pronoun takes the place of a noun that is acting as a direct object.
For example:
Did you sweep the floor?
Yes, I swept it.
Who set the table?
I set it.
Did you call your sister?
Yes, I called her.
In Spanish, the direct object pronouns are:
me
te
lo
la
nos
los
las
me
you
him, it masculine
her, it feminine
us
them, masculine
them, feminine
In Spanish, the direct object pronoun goes before the conjugated verb rather
than after it. For example:
¿Limpiaste la sala?
Sí, la limpié.
Did you clean the livingroom?
Yes, I cleaned it.
¿Ordenaste tu cuarto?
No, no lo ordené.
Did you tidy up your room?
No, I did not tidy it up.
¿Barres los pisos?
Sí, los barro.
Do you sweep the floors?
Yes, I sweep them.
¿Quién hace las camas?
Mi madre las hace.
Who makes the beds?
My mother makes them.
Note: When a sentence contains a double verb construction, the direct object
may be placed in either of two places: 1. before the conjugated verb 2.
attached to the infinitive. For example:
¿Quieres quitar la mesa?
Do you want to clear the table?
No, no la quiero quitar.
No, I don’t want to clear it.
No, no quiero quitarla.
¿Vas a cortar el césped?
Are you going to cut the grass? (mow)
Lo voy a cortar.
I am going to cut it.
Voy a cortarlo.
¿Vas a buscar un regalo para tu novio?
Are you going to look for a gift for your boyfriend?
Sí, lo voy a buscar.
Sí, voy a buscarlo.
Yes, I am going to look for it.
The direct object pronoun works the same way with the present progressive
tense. In a present progressive sentence, the direct object pronoun may go
before the conjugated verb or be attached to the present participle.
¿Estás haciendo la tarea para inglés?
Sí, la estoy haciendo.
Sí, estoy haciéndola.
**But, if the verbs in question are NOT in a phrase, but two (or more)separate
clauses, the pronoun will come before the verb.
¿Buscaste el regalo para tu papa?
Sí, lo busqué y lo compré.
May attach to the end of the verb if it ends in:
-ar, -er, -ir, -ndo