1. Direct Object Pronouns
Replacing direct object nouns with pronouns in Spanish sentences

2. What is a direct object?
A direct object is the person or thing that is acted upon in a sentence.
Examples
I eat tacos for dinner tacos are eaten
I call my sister on the phone sister is being called
I do my homework alone homework is being done

3. What is a direct object pronoun?
A direct object pronoun takes the place of the direct object noun in a sentence
Examples
I eat tacos for dinner I eat them
I call my sister on the phone I call her
I do my homework alone I do it

4. What are the direct object pronouns in Spanish?
Me = me Nos = us
Te = you Os = you all (in Spain)
Lo = him / it Los = you all (uds) / them (masc. or mix)
La = her / it Las = you all (uds) / them (feminine)

5. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Step 1: Find the direct object noun
Step 2: Match the direct object noun to a pronoun
Step 3: Replace the noun with the pronoun
Step 4: Move the pronoun in front of the conjugated verb

6. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Example:
Tengo un libro de español en mi mochila.
Step 1: un libro de español is the direct object
Step 2: un libro de español is singular and masculine. I want to replace un libro de español with a word that means “it” I should use “lo”
Step 3: Tengo (lo) en mi mochila.
Step 4: Lo tengo en mi mochila.

7. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Practice: Using the 4-step process, replace the direct object noun in this sentence with a pronoun.
Como tacos en el restaurante.

8. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Practice: Using the 4-step process, replace the direct object noun in this sentence with a pronoun.
Como tacos en el restaurante.
Step 1: tacos are being eaten. tacos is the direct object.
Step 2: tacos should be replaced by a word that means “them”. It is plural and masculine. I should use “los” to replace tacos.
Step 3: Como (los) en el restaurante.
Step 4: Los como en el restaurante.

9. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Practice: For each of the following sentences, replace the direct object noun with a pronoun using the 4-step process.
Mi abuelo lleva a mí al colegio.
My grandpa takes me to school.
Mis padres llaman a nosotros por teléfono.
My parents call us by phone.
La profesora hace la tarea en la pizarra.
The teacher does the homework on the board.

10. How do I replace a noun with a direct object pronoun in a sentence in Spanish?
Mi abuelo lleva a mí al colegio.
Mi abuelo me lleva al colegio.
Mis padres llaman a nosotros por teléfono.
Mis padres nos llaman por teléfono.
La profesora hace la tarea en la pizarra.
La profesora la hace en la pizarra.

11. Exceptions to the rule
Sometimes, direct object pronouns can be attached to the end of a verb.
You might see a direct object pronoun attached to an infinitive (un-conjugated, unchanged) verb.
Examples:
Quiero comerlo. I want to eat it.
Voy a estudiarlo. I’m going to study it.
Va a llamarnos. He’s going to call us.

12. Additional information: the personal “a”
The word “a” appears in Spanish in front of the direct object noun when the direct object is a person
Example:
Llama a Ricardo por teléfono.