Volumen 2 · Capítulo 07

Direct Objects: It and Them

Say I have it, I need them, I bought it.

A direct object receives the action. In “I need the copy,” the copy is the direct object.

Spanish often replaces the object with a small word before the verb.

The four direct object words

: it · him, masculine singular
: it · her, feminine singular
: them, masculine plural
: them, feminine plural

Use the gender of the noun:

: lo
: la
: los
: las

Put it before the verb

: I have the passport.
: I have it.
: I need the copy.
: I need it.
: I bring the documents.
: I bring them.

With an infinitive, you get two choices

With patterns like , , , and , the object can go before the first verb or attach to the infinitive.

: I am going to buy it.
: I am going to buy it.
: I need to print it.
: I need to print it.

The attached version is common and clean. Use it.

The survival phrases

: I have it here.
: I do not have it.
: I lost it, feminine thing.
: I need them for the procedure.

Drill: replace the noun

: receipt = masculine
: key = feminine
: papers = masculine plural
: photos = feminine plural