1. Using Direct Object Pronouns
Substituting for the Direct Object

2. What is and is not a Direct Object Only direct objects can be substituted with Direct Object Pronouns
A Direct Object IS
WHO or WHAT receives the action of the verb.
A Direct Object IS NOT
A Prepositional Phrase: Includes a preposition AND it’s object (a noun).
Common words that we know that can be used as prepositions: after (después de), at (a), before (antes de), behind (detrás de), beneath (debajo de), beside (al lado de), by (por), for (para), from (de), in (en), inside (dentro de), near (cerca de), of (de), on (encima de), to (a), under (debajo de), and with (con).
A Predicate Nominative: A restating or renaming of the subject using a verb with no action such as: am, is, are, was, and were (es, son, está, están).

3. Direct Object Pronouns:
While there are many direct object pronouns, we will focus on only a few.
English Me
You (the tú kind)
Him
Her
You (the Ud. kind) It Us
Y’all (vosotros kind)
Them
You all (Uds. kind)
Spanish
Me (associated with “Yo”)
Te (associated with “Tú”)
Lo (associated with “Él, el & Ud.”)
La (associated with “Ella, la & Ud.”)
Nos (associated with “Nosotros”)
Os (associated with “Nosotros”)
Los (associated with Ellos, los & Uds.)
Las (associated with Ellas, las and Uds.)

4. When do I use “LO” or “La”
Lo is masculine and singular it will be used to substitute for:
Masculine singular persons: Él or Usted (if Usted is maculine)
Masculine singular nouns: nouns that begin with “el”
Ex. El boleto
La is feminine and singular, it will be used to substitute for:
Feminine singular persons: Ella or Usted (if Usted is feminine)
Feminine singular nouns: nouns that begin with “la”
Ex. La maleta
Always remember: “lo” and “la” will be substitutions – the original noun (el boleto or la maleta) will no longer appear in the sentence

5. When do I use “LOs” or “Las”
Los is masculine and plural it will be used to substitute for:
Masculine plural persons: Ellos or Ustedes (if Ustedes is masculine)
Masculine plural nouns: nouns that begin with “los”
Ex. Los amigos
Las is feminine and plural, it will be used to substitute for:
Feminine plural persons: Ellas or Ustedes (if Ustedes is feminine)
Feminine plural nouns: nouns that begin with “las”
Ex. Las maletas
Always remember: “los” and “las” will be substitutions – the original noun (los amigos or las maletas) will no longer appear in the sentence

6. Location of a Direct object Pronoun – In English
In English it is very easy to place a direct object pronoun since it literally takes the same place as the original Direct Object.
Ex. I put the bathing suit in the suitcase.
Direct Object: Direct Object Pronoun?
New Sentence in English: I put in the suitcase.
Note: “It” occupies the same location in the sentence as bathing suit did.
Note: “bathing suit” no longer appears in the sentence.
bathing suit it it

7. Location of a Direct object Pronoun – In Spanish
The location of the Direct Object Pronoun is a little more difficult as it is placed DIRECTLY in front of the verb.
EX. Yo pongo el traje de baño en la maleta.
Direct Object?: Direct Object Pronoun:
Rewrite the sentence placing the Direct Object Pronoun “DIRECTLY in front of the verb”
el traje de baño Lo
“el traje de baño” is masculine and singular
Yo lo pongo en la maleta.

8. One more substitution, just for practice
REMEMBER:
The Direct Object Pronoun is placed DIRECTLY before the verb
The original Direct Object will no longer appear in your sentence
EX. El pasajero pone las maletas cerca de la parada de autobús.
Direct Object?: Direct Object Pronoun:
Rewrite the sentence placing the Direct Object Pronoun “DIRECTLY in front of the verb”
las maletas
las
“las maletas” is feminine and plural
El pasajero las pone cerca de la parada de autobús

9. And Now a few for you to try…
Abordamos el avión.
Direct Object? :
Nosotros no abordamos la pantalla porque es imposible.
Direct Object?: Direct Object Pronoun:
el avión
Direct Object Pronoun: lo
Lo abordamos.
la pantalla la
Nosotros no la abordamos porque es imposible.

10. Just a couple more… Las tengo. Lo necesitamos tomar al aeropuerto.
Tengo fotos de las vacaciones en Chile. (* tricky!)
Direct Object? :
Necesitamos tomar un taxi al aeropuerto.
Direct Object?: Direct Object Pronoun:
fotos
Direct Object Pronoun:
las
Las tengo.
un taxi lo
Lo necesitamos tomar al aeropuerto.