Can I use a d.o.p. with gustar?

Question

When someone askes a question like "¿Pusiste la mesa?" I would respond with "Sí la puse." My question is can I do the same with verbs like gustar? "¿Te gusta el fútbol?" "Sí me lo gusta" It doesn't sound right to me.

Answer 1

It won't sound right because you're doubling up on your objects - remember that 'gustar' means 'to please' not 'to like' - so me lo gusta would mean 'to me' 'it' 'it pleases'.

You only need me gusta - to me - it pleases.

Answer 2

Gustar is an intransitive verb. It cannot have a direct object.

Sí, me gusta [él, ella, ello]. Yes, It pleases me. Yes, I like it

The "it" is the subject of the gustar sentence, not the direct object.

Sí, él (el fútbol) me gusta. (The position of the subject before or after the verb is optional.) The "it" needn't be mentioned, but implied with the person of the verb.