Use of a pronoun in two sentences

Question

I am studying the use of object pronouns. Is the use of “lo” correct in these two sentences?

Estoy estudiando uso de pronombres objeto. ¿Es el uso de ‘lo’ correcto en estas frases?

"I am installing an attic ladder today. It is has a wooden frame with aluminum steps."

Is this correct in Spanish?

¿Es correcto en español?

"Estoy instalando una escalera de ático hoy. Lo tiene un marco de madera con pasos de aluminio."

Please correct my grammar. I need to practice.

Por favor, corrija mí gramática. Necesito practicar.

Thank you! Gracias!

Answer 1

"Estoy instalando una escalera de ático hoy. Lo tiene un marco de madera con pasos de aluminio."

"Estoy instalando" means you are doing it right now, which conflicts with the rest of the sentence. You should use the present indicative instead.

"Lo tiene" means "he has it"--you are either trying to use lo as a subject pronoun or as a redundant direct object pronoun with the direct object given after the verb, both of which are incorrect. Say "Tiene" instead.

Thank you! I see the problem. I am trying to use it as a subject pronoun. - 0066c384, Dec 29, 2010

Answer 2

"Estoy instalando una escalera de ático hoy. Lo tiene un marco de madera con pasos de aluminio."

"Estoy instalando" means you are doing it right now, which conflicts with the rest of the sentence. You should use the present indicative instead.

That's an interesting point, Lorenzo. I should have read the post more carefully. The sentence itself is perfect, but its meaning is different from the original one in English, where the installation hasn't begun yet, it is only a plan to be carried out later on today. In Spanish, on the other hand, it means that you are in the middle of the installation, which has already begun. To match the English original meaning, you probably want to say "Voy a instalar" instead.

began->begun - lorenzo9, Dec 29, 2010

Funny how sloppy English has become. We say 'installing' to mean in-progress, or presently (soon), and you might now know which. - pesta, Dec 29, 2010

Without an adverbial clause like "today" to specify the time it can mean right now or soon. However, with such a clause that doesn't mean right now, it can't mean you are in the act. - lorenzo9, Dec 29, 2010

Answer 3

¿Es está correcto en Español?

es = is it

está = is it

Therefore, your sentence says "Is it is it correct in Spanish?" You have to write:

¿Es correcto en español?" (notice the lower case in "español")

"Estoy instalando una escalera de ático hoy. Lo tiene un marco de madera con pasos de aluminio."

That "lo" cannot be used if you also state the object ("un marco de madera..."). Either "un marco" or "lo", but not both.

Gracias! ¿Como se dice "it" en esta contexto? - 0066c384, Dec 29, 2010

I think Lorenzo answered my question. I was trying to use "lo" as a subject pronoun. - 0066c384, Dec 29, 2010

Thank you both for your responses. - 0066c384, Dec 29, 2010