Avoiding common student errors from the Midterm with direct-object pronouns:

Look only at the direct object noun/noun phrase in the prompt when you try to decide what direct-object pronoun to pick to replace it.

 

  • Do not try to make the direct object pronoun "agree" with the conjugated verb that immediately follows it in the sentence. That's not how DOPs work at all.
     
  • Similarly, do not select your direct object pronoun based on the subject noun or pronoun that precedes it. This is also not how DOPs work.

 

Let's practice with this. In the question below, the direct object noun is bolded in red

You choose which of our 4 direct object pronouns for things (lo, la, los or las) should replace that noun in the answer.

¿Quieres beber café?

"Café" is masculine and singular.
Does "lo", "la", "los" or "las" replace it?

Sí, ______ quiero beber.

Did you pick masculine, singular "lo"? 

If so, that's right!

Sí, lo quiero beber.

Let's practice with this. In the question below, the direct object noun is bolded in red

You choose which of our 4 direct object pronouns for things (lo, la, los or las) should replace that noun in the answer.

¿Compras zapatos en ese almacén?

"Zapatos" is masculine and plural.
Does "lo", "la", "los" or "las" replace it?

Sí, ______ compro allí cada año.

Did you pick masculine, plural "los"? 

If so, perfect!

Sí, los compro allí cada año.

Let's practice with this. In the question below, the direct object noun is bolded in red

You choose which of our 4 direct object pronouns for things (lo, la, los or las) should replace that noun in the answer.

¿Dónde compraste las gafas de sol?

"Gafas" is feminine and plural.
Does "lo", "la", "los" or "las" replace it?

 ______ compré en Falabella

Did you pick feminine, plural "las"? 

If so, excellent! You're right!

Las compré en Falabella.

Let's work with this more via an Adaptive Learning Assignment I use in another course!