Object Pronoun Placement

Kurz erklärt

In Spanish, an object pronoun normally goes before a conjugated verb, not after it as an English object often does. With an infinitive or gerund, it can instead be attached to the end. In affirmative commands it must be attached; in negative commands it goes before the verb.

Bildung

pronoun + conjugated verb; conjugated verb + infinitive/gerund + attached pronoun; affirmative command + attached pronoun; no + pronoun + command

Verwendung

• Place the pronoun immediately before a single conjugated verb.
• With a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive, put the pronoun before the conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive.
• With a gerund, put the pronoun before the conjugated verb or attach it to the gerund; a written accent may be needed.
• Attach the pronoun to an affirmative command, but place it before a negative command.

Beispiele

• Lo necesito hoy. — I need it today.
• La voy a llamar esta tarde. / Voy a llamarla esta tarde. — I’m going to call her this afternoon.
• Lo estoy buscando. / Estoy buscándolo. — I’m looking for it.
• Cómpralo, pero no lo abras todavía. — Buy it, but don’t open it yet.

Typischer Fehler

❌ Necesito lo hoy.

✅ Lo necesito hoy.

Unlike an English object, an unstressed Spanish object pronoun does not follow a conjugated verb. It goes before it.

Merke

Before a conjugated verb, attached to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command. Negative commands put the pronoun before the verb.