what is a direct object pronoun
what is a direct object pronoun. how do i use it in a sentence
1 Answer
Overview
Direct objects receive the action of a verb in a sentence Direct object pronouns replace that noun. Just like personal (subject) pronouns replace the subject noun in a sentence, direct object pronouns replace the direct object noun in a sentence which can be a person or a thing. Almost all of our favorite sentences have direct objects in them: I love you, Call me, etc.
Direct Object Pronouns
| Singular | Plural | |
| 1st person | me (me) | nos (us) |
| 2nd person | te (you, familiar) | os (you, familiar plural) |
| 3rd person | lo, la (him, her, you formal) | los, las (them, you, formal plural) |
Examples
Below you will find some examples. The direct objects are all in bold and is always the word or phrase that receives the action from the verb.
Placement
In affirmative sentences with one simple verb, the direct object pronoun comes before the verb.
- Yo te quiero. (I love you.)
Tú me quieres. (You love me.)
Yo veo a Caterina. (I see Caterina.)
Yo la veo. (I see her.)
Carmen lee el libro. (Carmen reads the book.)
Carmen lo lee. (Carmen reads it.)
Manuel tiene la flor. (Manuel has the flower.)
Manuel la tiene. (Manuel has it.)
Maria tiene tres libros. (Maria has three books.)
Maria los tiene. (Maria has them.)
Mi hermano compra dos camisas. (My brother buys two shirts.)
- Mi hermano las compra. (My brother buys them.)
Attaching the Direct Object Pronoun
In the case of infinitives, present participles, and affirmative commands you can attach the direct object pronoun to the end of the verb, or you can put it before the first verb.
- Estoy limpiándola. La estoy limpiando. (I am cleaning it.)
- Voy a hacerla. La voy a hacer. (I am going to do it.)
Command Placements
Attach direct object pronouns to the end of affirmative commands, but place them before a negative command.
- Léalo. (Read it.)
- No lo lea. (Don´t read it.)
