Direct Object Pronouns

A direct object is a noun that receives the action of a verb. In order to avoid repetition, the direct object can be replaced with a pronoun.

Direct Object Pronoun in Use

Rule 1. The function of direct object pronouns is to avoid repeatedly naming an object that has already been mentioned.

In the above example, the object is el libro, or the book, which is mentioned in the question. In the answer, the speaker uses the direct object pronoun lo to avoid saying el libro again, because it is not necessary. Both speakers know what they are talking about. If it were not used, the conversation would look like this:

This is not wrong, but it does not sound so natural and may seem repetitive.

Direct Object Pronoun Form

Rule 2. Direct object pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they are replacing. Here are the Spanish direct object pronouns:

Some examples in context:

Rule 3. They are placed before conjugated verbs.

Direct Object Pronoun with the Present Progressive

Rule 4. When using direct object pronouns in the present progressive (the verbal periphrasis estar + gerund), the pronoun can be placed in two ways. First, the pronoun can go before the conjugated verb form of estar.

You can also attach it to the verb in the present participle. In this case, an accent mark must always be added.

Direct Object Pronoun with Infinitive Verb Forms

Rule 5. When you have two verbs in a sentence and the second one is in the infinitive form, you can add the pronoun before the conjugated verb, as mentioned above, but you can also attach it to the verb in the infinitive form.