Chapter 1
Topic 2 Direct Object Pronouns
- A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun.
- A pronoun replaces a noun to avoid repetition.
Subject pronouns function as the subject of a verb. Subject pronouns are optional in Spanish. Many dialects of Spanish use subject pronouns for emphasis or in cases where it is not clear who the subject is.
-
Tengo un estudiante muy gracioso. Él es muy inteligente y habla mucho.
- I have a student who is very funny. He is very smart and talks a lot.
In the example, above, the pronoun él is used to replace the noun un estudiante.
- In Spanish, the pronoun “lo and la” is placed before the verb
- In English, the pronoun “it” is placed after the verb
1). Anne abre el libro. Anne opens the book.
- A direct object is a noun following the verb that answers what? or whom?
- What Anne opens? the book (it) (lo and la is the English “it”)
- What is receiving the action of opening? the book
- Anna opens it. It is the pronoun used to replace the noun, the book.
2). Nick habla con Karen. Nick talks to Karen.
- A direct object is a noun following the verb that answers what? or whom?
- With whom Nick talks? Karen (her)
- Whom is receiving the action? Karen
- Nick talks to her. Her is the pronoun used to replace Karen.
| Subject pronoun | Direct Object Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Yo (me) | me |
| Tú (you) | te |
| Ud./él/ella (him, her) | lo, la |
| Nosotros (us) | nos |
| Uds./ellos/as (them) | los, las |
A direct object pronoun can be placed:
- Directly before the first conjugated verb.
- Juana me quiere visitar.
- Attached to the second verb in the infinitive.
- Juana quiere visitarme.
The meaning is the same.
1). Pilar has Jorge’s backpack.
Pilar tiene la mochila de Jorge.
Jorge la tiene.
2). Professor Cerón teaches math’s classes.
El profesor Cerón enseña las clases de matemáticas.
El profesor Cerón las enseña.
3). The grandparents are going to visit their grandchildren.
Los abuelos van a visitar a sus nietos.
Los abuelos van a visitarlos.
