Using Direct Object Pronouns

Remember, direct object pronouns exist in both English and Spanish! Let's take a look at how the two behave differently.

The main difference between the use of direct object pronouns in Spanish and in English is their placement. While in English they are placed after the verb, in Spanish this pronoun is placed in front of the verb.

Let’s take a look at some helpful examples. Remember the direct object (noun) can be a person, a thing, or a noun phrase.

Juan toma una fotografía. Juan la toma.
- Juan takes a picture. Juan takes it.
  - una fotografía receives the action of the verb takes.
  - una fotografía = feminine, singular = la.
Peter lleva las zapatillas para jugar al tenis. Pepe las lleva.
- Pepe wears tennis shoes to play tennis. Pepe wears them.
  - las zapatillas receives the action of the verb llevar.
  - las zapatillas = feminine, plural = las.
Clara come tomates. Clara los come.
- Clara eats tomatoes. Clara eats them.
  - Tomates receives the action of the verb comer.
  - tomates = masculine, plural = los.

Video Lesson

This video lesson will help you understand how to replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence.

This is a muy importante lección (very important lesson) You may want to watch it twice! You will need tu cuaderno (your notebook), tu lápiz or bolígrafo (your pencil or your pen) Necesitas tomar apuntes (take notes) and complete practice activities.

Remember, email your teacher if you have any questions after you complete a lesson. Your instructor is always available to help you and clarify any additional questions you may have before you move forward with your studies.

Video credit: Lingo Learner (YouTube)

Practice Activity

Was this video lesson helpful? If you need a pencil, can you say in Spanish I need it? Do you understand how to use direct object pronouns in a sentence? If your answer was sí to all questions, then you are ready to complete the following practice activities.

Take time to practice. All practice activities have unlimited attempts. Practice as many times as you need. When you complete practice activities, you are reviewing the lessons and preparing yourself to move forward in the course!

Note: You are required to use information from this course to complete all practice activities. Additionally, fill-in-the-blank activities can be very particular: if an item is marked incorrect, double check that it wasn't something as minor as an extra space or a capital letter in the wrong place!

Example:

Select the correct direct object pronoun to replace the noun: María lee el libro. María ____ lee.

el libro (masculine, singular) would be replaced by lo. María lo lee.

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