Spanish resource for students of Spanish at Sampson Community College. This site is designed to help with tricky grammar problems, vocabulary concerns, and to provide a schedule of assignments, assessments, and events in Sra Moore's classes.
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ~ Harry S
Truman
Wow, last week flew... possibly because I spent 3 days in bed. Thank you all for your emails, texts, and Facebook messages. I'm feeling a lot better and getting back to work feels wonderful!
To fully understand how to use Direct Object Pronouns in Spanish, I need to make sure you...
1. Know what a Direct Object is in English
2. Know what Direct Object Pronouns are in English. AND
3. Understand the purpose of substituting the pronoun for the object.
What is a Direct Object?
The DIRECT OBJECT is the object that receives the direct action of the verb. It answers the question Who? or What? We use direct object pronouns to avoid saying the name of the OBJECT (person or thing) over and over again.
• I want a skirt. SKIRT, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• He saw the money. MONEY, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• We called Bob. Bob, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• You know Sally. Sally, is the DIRECT OBJECT
Notice in English, the DIRECT OBJECT follows the verb. When I was growing up, we had to diagram the parts of the sentence... I = Subject ... want = Verb ... skirt = Direct Object
I didn't appreciate it back then, but now it makes Spanish sentences easier to understand.
Direct Object Pronouns in English
• ME
o My husband loves ME.
o Me = Direct Object Pronoun
• YOU o You = Direct Object Pronoun
• HIM, HER, IT
o She saw him.
o Him = Direct Object Pronoun
• US
o He likes us.
o Us = Direct Object Pronoun
• YOU (plural...or Y'ALL)
o I told y'all.
o Y'all = Direct Object Pronoun
• THEM
o We bought them.
o Them = Direct Object Pronoun
Why substitute?
Easy! I bought a car. My car is gold. My car is new. My car is shiny. My car is fast... I could do this all day, but why use the word car over and over again when I can SUBSTITUTE a pronoun...it for car. NOW, using the Direct Object Pronoun...I bought a car. I like it. It's gold, new, shiny...
Now that you understand how to use Direct Objects and Direct Object Pronouns in English...Spanish should be a breeze!
1.Know what a Direct Object is...in Spanish
2. Know what Direct Object Pronouns are...in Spanish AND
3. Understand the purpose of substituting the pronoun for the object.
What is a "Spanish" Direct Object?
Same as in English, Spanish Direct Objects receives the direct action of the verb and answer the questions ¿Qué? o ¿Quién?
• Quiero una falda. FALDA, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• Él vio el dinero. DINERO, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• Nosotros llamamos a Bob. Bob, is the DIRECT OBJECT
• Conoces a Sally. Sally, is the DIRECT OBJECT
Notice in Spanish (just like in English), the DIRECT OBJECT follows the verb. When I was growing up, we had to diagram the parts of the sentence... (yo) = Subject (remember sometimes we don't need the subject pronoun because the person is already in the verb)... quiero = Verb ... una falda = Direct Object
Direct Object Pronouns en español
Notice that the Spanish direct object pronouns for 3rd person singular (it) and 3rd person plural (them) are based on gender. The pronoun you use depends upon the gender of the noun you're substituting. REMEMBER, in Spanish we have to make sure our number and gender agree...pronouns included.
For example: I want a skirt. Yo quiero una falda. Using pronouns...I want it, but that it in Spanish has to be "la" because it represents the skirt... Make sense?
NOW, the object in both languages is placed after the verb, BUT the DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUN, is placed BEFORE the conjugated verb in SPANISH.
¿Quién compró el café? Who bought the coffee?
• direct objects/AFTER the verb in both languages
Sally lo compró. Sally bought it. (where it = el café)
• direct object pronouns
o after the verb in English
o BEFORE the verb in Spanish
***As always pay attention to your gender and your numbers = make sure they agree***
NOW... there's always one little thing that's SLIGHTLY difficult ... no need to panic, just pay attention
When a conjugated verb and an infinitive are used together... In other words, when there are 2 verbs, the direct object pronoun can be placed :
1. BEFORE the conjugated verb (this is the same way you do it if there is only ONE verb, so you only have to learn one way)
• I want to buy a car. Quiero comprar un carro.
• I want to buy it. Lo quiero comprar.
2. ATTACHED to the infinitive. (for those of you who have to translate everything, this is the one you'll like, because this translated exactly the way you would say it in English...you'll like it)
• I want to buy a car. Quiero comprar un carro.
• I want to buy it. Quiero comprarlo.
If you need additional help check out the following sites:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can
steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you
know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” Dr. Seuss
How in the world did I miss a week? Well if it can happen, it can happen by me.
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it." Marian Wright Edelman
SPA111 Elementary Spanish 1 (both classes)
Start Nuestras Clases
We will be going over vocabulary...
Hopefully by the time class starts, I'll have a new version, but this old one is available if you'd like a head start.
SPA112 Elementary Spanish 2 (both classes)
Testing on El Menú
SPA120 Spanish for the Workplace
Filling out forms
SPA141 Culture and Civilization
Last week we took a detour and we watched
The Missing, a movie staring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. It was based real events that occurred in 1973. As you watched the movie I wanted you to think about whether the situation in the movie could happen now? Could a military coup in a Latin American country be supported by the American government and involve American military "unofficially"? Could the American government support a take over that was riddled with killings, torture, and missing people?
This week we are going back to the 1700's. We're going to watch The Mission, based on historical events in South America. The Jesuits were sent to the New World to spread Christianity. It takes place during the time when Spain and Portugal form a treaty resulting in Spain surrendering land to Portugal, so the Portuguese can conquest (enslave) and colonize the Guaranis and other Indian tribes. The problem arises with the missions... traditionally a mission is a sanctuary, a safe place for the Indians, but now due to the Treaty of Madrid, the missions may no longer be a sanctuary and may no longer exist.
As you watch this movie, think about the conquest of 1492, think about the political and economic climate of the "new world" and of the old world. Are you seeing history repeat itself? Do you see a pattern? Is there a common thread between the movies we've watched?
SPA181/182 Spanish Labs
Mi Vida Loca...
Remember, if you need me, you can email me, facebook me, tweet me, and/or text me. YOU can also ask me questions here!
So, we had to have a change of plans due to technical difficulties.
We were originally supposed to see The Mission based on real events that occurred in 1750, instead we're watching The Missing, based on real events that occurred in 1973.
Here's what I want you to think about...
1. Could this happen in now? I mean, the military coup, the "missing" of American people or anyone who disagreed with the new government, the involvement of "American" soldiers (unofficially of course)...
2. Next week we'll get back on track and watch The Mission... An old adage, is that "history repeats itself". Do you see a cycle or a connection between the movies?
Ciao,
MLMoore
