Direct Object Pronouns

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Direct Object Pronouns
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Direct Objects

• A direct object is an object that is being acted
  upon.
• Francisco drives the car.
• Francisco maneja el carro.
• We send a letter.
• Nosotros enviamos una carta.
• Asking the question, What is being driven,
  sent, hammered, etc.? reveals the direct
  object.

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• Asking the question, What is being driven,
  sent, hammered, etc.? reveals the direct
  object. Consider the following
• He hammers the nail.
• What is being ____________?

She cooks the bacon.
They pet the cats.
hammered
cooked
petted
THE NAIL
THE BACON
THE CATS
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Direct Object Pronouns
Notice that these are very similar to indirect
object pronouns (which are used with gustar,
encantar, etc.) Do not let the similarities
confuse you.
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Direct Object Pronouns

• A direct object pronoun takes the place of a
  direct object. Direct object pronouns are often
  used to shorten a sentence.
• Francisco maneja el carro.
• Francisco lo maneja.

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PARE
Before proceeding, complete As. 9-11 on Quia.
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• Using the direct object pronouns lo and la in
  Spanish is similar to using it in English. A
  direct object pronoun may only be used when the
  direct object is clearly understood. Consider
  the following example in English
• Who has it?
• Taken out of context, that question does not make
  sense. Consider this, instead
• Im looking for the ball. Who has it?

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• Now consider this example in Spanish
• Lo habla muy bien.
• Out of context, there is no way to know what lo
  means. Consider this, instead
• Dennis habla español. Lo habla muy bien.
• In context, it becomes clear that lo refers to
  español.

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• Direct object pronouns go before the verb, even
  though the direct object itself originally came
  after the verb.
• Dennis habla español. Lo habla muy
  bien.

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• Direct object pronouns are often used when
  answering questions.
• Do you see Pablo?
• -Yes, I see him.
• No ves a Pablo?
• -Sí, lo veo.