Understanding Object Pronouns:

I like to use the analogy of juggling to explain this issue.  Some verbs can only have a subject, some can have a subject and an object, and another group takes a subject, a direct object, and an indirect object.  For the sake of this analogy, I call the verbs that only have only a subject "One ball verbs."  Those with subject and object are "two ball verbs" and those with subject, direct and indirect object are "three ball verbs."  One of the reasons I like the analogy of juggling balls is that it helps drive home the point that each ball adds another degree of difficulty.  First semester students just barely learn to handle the third ball.  Keep that in mind as you read through this page.  Start with mastering the first and second.  Then add the the third.  

In terms of your dictionary, the verbs that only have a subject are called "intransitive".  Reflexive verbs are also called intransitive, but they do have an object.  With reflexive verbs, the object and the subject are identical.  That's why they're called reflexive.  Since the subject and object are the same, they are also considered and labeled in dictionaries as "intransitive."  However, in my opinion, it helps to understand that there is a pronoun there that expresses the recipient of the action.  The pronoun set used by reflexive verbs [me te se nos os se] is different than the set used for direct objects [me te lo/la nos os los/las] and for indirect objects [me te le nos os les].  Notice that the only differences occur in the Ud, Uds. and 3rd persons. 

What is a pronoun?  When you make a sentence with a direct and/or indirect object, you can state the object fully, of you can reduce it to a pronoun.  For example, in English, you can say:

I drink Red Bull. 

OR

I drink it.  

In the first sentence, Red Bull is the direct object.  In the second sentence, Red Bull is still the direct object, but the speaker assumes that the listener knows that he's talking about Red Bull.  You replace the "Red Bull" with a pronoun to shorten the sentence.  In Spanish, these would be:

Yo bebo Red Bull.  

O

Yo lo bebo. 

Notice that in the case of the  fully stated direct object, the word order is identical to English.  However, in the case of the pronoun, they put the pronoun in front of the conjugated verb.  It appears that this simple fact is one of the greatest sources of confusion for English speakers.

Also, to explain the the concept of Intransitive and Transitive verbs, transitive verbs are the verbs that have 2 or 3 "balls."  They have an object or objects that is/are not the same as the subject.  Intransitive verbs have no object, or the object is the same as the subject (reflexive).

Aside from juggling, chemistry provides another useful analogy for the science-minded: Valence.  Each atom has the ability to link to one, two, three or more atoms, like Tinker Toys (another good analogy).  Think of verbs as having links or holes on them that allow you to hook subjects and objects to them.  To extend the Tinker Toy analogy, the Adverb could be seen as putting a different color on the verb.  You have a verb, to which you can attach a subject in the form of the verb ending.  Then some verbs allow you to hook them to other verbs (modal/auxiliary verbs), or to a direct object, etc.  But I digress....

The issue that you need to master with the various object pronouns is the proper use of the pronouns.  Take a look at the pronoun tables page to refresh your memory on the four different cases of pronouns--  Subject is the "first ball."  Direct objects are the "second ball."  Indirect objects are the "third ball."   (However, with mental reaction verbs like Gustar, Spanish speakers use the first and third balls without the second.  In other words, they use indirect object pronouns without the presence of a direct object.  For some obscure reason, linguists and grammarians refer to these verbs as intransitive, though I think that is hopelessly obscure.  I do not follow that tradition.)

Intransitive Verbs Or "one ball verbs"

First, begin by making clear which verbs do not go with Direct Objects.  There are three types or families of these:

Motion verbs:

They do not have a direct object, but rather an object of a preposition, or prepositional phrase.  It is always incorrect to use object pronouns with these verbs.

ir, venir, volver, salir, etc.

Note: You cannot use the verb caminar as a transitive verb:  I walk the dog.  = Camino con el perro, or Doy un paseo con mi perro.  

Verbs of being/becoming

These verbs take a subject and a predicate.  The verb is not really an action, but rather an expression of equality--connecting the subject to an adjective or noun that is supposed to express the nature, appearance or properties of the subject.  This is known as a predicate.  You cannot use object pronouns with these verbs, but in the case of SER and ESTAR, it is possible to use "LO" to replace the predicate.  Keep in mind that this is not a direct object, and it is necessary to use ONLY the pronoun "LO" to do this.

SER, ESTAR, PARECER, VENIR A SER, LLEGAR A SER  

¿Es Darren el profesor de esta clase?  Sí, él lo es.  

However, when "it" is the subject of the verb, there is no pronoun in Spanish.  

Mi casa es blanca.  Está en St. Paul.  (It is in St Paul)

Reflexive and intransitive actions

Dormir, morir, saltar, eructar, and all reflexive verbs--levantarse, despertarse.

All other verbs are Transitive, and can take one or two objects.

Some Problem verbs

In some cases, English has one verb that serves two purposes defined by transitive vs. intransitive structures.  The most common confusion for English speakers is with the verbs "to leave" and "to return".  

Salir (intransitive motion verb) – Dejar (transitive 2 or 3 ball verb)

Volver (intransitive motion verb) – Devolver (transitive 3 ball verb)

Other confusions commonly arise in relation to these two verbs:

_____________________________

Combining object pronouns:

Students in SPAN 1000 (Beginning Spanish 1) do not need to use indirect object pronouns yet, except with verbs like Gustar.  Hence, there is no need yet to learn how to use two pronouns in a row.  Beginning students work with Direct objects, reflexives and mental reaction verbs.  Stop here.  If you are in SPAN 1100 or higher, proceed to the next section.

Sequence of object pronouns:

Object pronouns must go in front of conjugated verbs, or attached to infinitives, progressive participles, positive commands.  Use this sequence:

RID ( Reflexive-Indirect-Direct  )

He gives it to me--  Él me lo da.  

You can have a combination of two pronouns--Indirect & Direct, Reflexive & Direct, Reflexive and Indirect.

However, you cannot combine Le with Lo, so they change it to Se lo. 

If these paired pronouns are attached at the end of an infinitive or progressive participle, then you combine them.

I want to give it to him.  =   Quiero dárselo.

For more examples of Indirect Objects, click here.

Direct Object Practice Exercise:

The following list of verbs is useful for practicing orally and physically with another person--you can dramatize what you are talking about with props and movements and common conversation. This is not a COMPLETE list of such verbs.  Also, this list is intended for use as a learning tool for the concept.  Refer to the vocab lists for your textbook for "official" vocab that I actually expect you to learn for the test. 

Asustar (to frighten)
Ayudar (to help, aid)
Comer  Creer  Desear   Detestar
Empujar (to push)
Enojar (to anger)  Enojarse (to become angry)
Escribir  Esperar  Estudiar Examinar
Hacer
Leer  
Levantar, Levantarse,
Mirar
Odiar (to hate)
Oír (to hear-oigo, oyes, oye, oímos, oís, oyen)
Poner (to put or place—pongo, pones, pone, ponemos, ponéis, ponen)
Ponerse (to put on –clothing, or to become + adjective)
Probar (to try, test, taste—pruebo, pruebas, prueba etc)
Querer (quiero, quieres etc.)
Revisar (to revise, check over) Romper (to rip, break)
Saber (sé, sabes, sabe, sabemos, sabéis, sabe)
Sacar (to take out) Tocar (to touch) Tomar
Torcer (to twist—tuerzo, tuerces, tuerce, torcemos, torcéis, tuercen)
traer (to bring—traigo, traes, trae, etc.)
Ver (to see—veo, ves, ve, vemos, véis,ven)

Examples for translation:  I see you.  Do you see me?  We see each other.

I twist the paper.  I twist it.  You twist it.

I love you.  You love me.  We love each other.

They hate Ricardo.   Ricardo hates them.  They hate each other.

I know that there is a test tomorrow.  I know it.  Do you know it?

I touch the book.  You touch me.  He touches them.

I hear you.  Do you hear me?  We can’t hear each other.

She scares me.  I scare her.  They scare each other.

I wait for him.  He waits for me.  We wait for (hope for) it.

Creo que Pilar mira la televisión demasiado.

Creo que Pilar la mira demasiado

Lo creo.

Tengo un radio.

¿Quién tiene un radio?

Allison lo tiene.

Conocer

¿Conoces al profe?

Sí, lo conozco.

Mucho gusto en conocer a Ud.  

Mucho gusto en concerlo.

Tomar

Tomo siete clases.

¿Por qué las tomas?

Las tomo porque es necesario.

Ud. es masoquista.

Es empollón.   Sí, lo es.

Ver

¿Ves al profe?

Sí, lo veo.   Es bien feo, ¿eh?

Sí, lo es.   (here the LO is used to replace a predicate "ugly".  This is always LO.  No gender or number is possible.)

Los miran y los señalan

Hacerle

Va a dejarla libre

La va a dejar libre.

Acera -- sidewalk

La cartera está en la acera.

Su amigo la ve y la saluda.

María no lo ve.

El va a recogerla.

La va a recoger.