Direct Object Nouns and Pronouns

Question 1

When a direct object noun in Spanish is a person or a pet, it is preceded by the word ‘a’. This is called a personal a; there is no English equivalent for this construction

Answer 1

La señora Díaz vista a la doctora Sales

Mrs. Diaz is visiting Dr. Sales

Question 2

direct object pronouns are words that replace direct object nouns. Like English, Spanish uses a direct object pronoun to avoid repeating a noun already mentioned.

Answer 2

Maribel hace las maletas

Maribel las hace

Question 3

Direct object pronouns

Answer 3

Singular:
me= me
te= you (fam)
lo= you (m., form.) him; it (m.)
la= you (f.,form) her; it (f.)

Plural:
nos= us
os= you
los= you (m.,form) them (m.) 
las= you (f.,form.) them (f.)

Question 4

In affirmative sentences, direct object pronouns generally appear before the conjugated verb. In negative sentences, the pronoun is placed between the word ‘no’ and the verb.

Answer 4

Adela practica el tenis
Adela lo practica

Gabriela no tiene las llaves
Gabriela no las tiene

Question 5

When the verb is an infinitive construction, such as ir a + [infinitive], the direct object pronoun can be placed before the conjugated form or attached to the infinitive

Answer 5

Ellos van escribir unas postales:

1. Ellos las van a escribir
2. Ellos van a escribirlas

Question 6

When the verb is in the present progressive form, the direct object pronoun can be placed before the conjugated form or attached to the present participle. When a direct object pronoun is attached to the present participle, an accent mark is added to maintain the proper stress.

Answer 6

Toni está mirando el partido:

1. Toni lo está mirando
2. Toni está mirándolo