Introduction
One of the most common areas of confusion for English speakers learning Spanish involves the placement of object pronouns when using infinitive verbs. If you’ve encountered both Quiero hacerlo and Lo quiero hacer in Spanish texts or conversations, you might wonder which one is correct, or if they mean different things. The good news is that both are grammatically correct and widely used in Spanish-speaking countries. However, understanding when and why to use each pattern will significantly improve your fluency and help you sound more natural when speaking or writing Spanish. This article explores these two patterns in detail, examining their grammatical structures, usage preferences across different regions, and practical examples that will help you master this important aspect of Spanish grammar.
Understanding Object Pronouns in Spanish
What Are Object Pronouns?
Before diving into the two patterns, it’s essential to understand what object pronouns are in Spanish. Object pronouns are words that replace nouns and receive the action of the verb. In English, we have pronouns like me, you, him, her, it, us, and them. Spanish has similar pronouns: me (me), te (you informal), lo (him/it), la (her/it), nos (us), os (you all, Spain), and los and las (them). When you say Lo quiero, the word lo is an object pronoun replacing a masculine noun.
Why Infinitives Matter
The situation becomes more interesting when infinitives enter the picture. An infinitive is the base form of a verb, such as hablar (to speak), comer (to eat), or hacer (to do). In Spanish, infinitives always end in -ar, -er, or -ir. When you use an infinitive with a conjugated verb that requires an object pronoun, you have choices in where to place that pronoun. This flexibility is what creates the two patterns we’re examining in this article.
Pattern One: Pronoun Attached to the Infinitive
The Structure of Quiero Hacerlo
The first pattern involves attaching the object pronoun directly to the infinitive verb. In our example, Quiero hacerlo, the pronoun lo is attached to the end of hacer, forming hacerlo. This pattern follows this structure: Conjugated verb + infinitive with attached pronoun. When you attach a pronoun to an infinitive, you’re essentially saying that the action of the infinitive is being performed on the object represented by the pronoun.
Examples of Pattern One
Let’s examine some practical examples of this pattern:
Quiero hacerlo. (I want to do it.)
Necesito comprarlo. (I need to buy it.)
Voy a comerla. (I’m going to eat it.)
Debo explicárselo. (I must explain it to him/her.)
Puedo ayudarte. (I can help you.)
In each of these sentences, the object pronoun is firmly attached to the infinitive, creating a single written unit. This pattern is intuitive for many learners because it keeps the action and its object together visually.
Pronunciation and Stress Considerations
When you attach a pronoun to an infinitive, you’re also changing where the stress falls in the word. Normally, infinitives ending in -ar, -er, and -ir are pronounced with stress on the final vowel sound. However, when you attach a pronoun, the stress remains on the infinitive, but the word becomes longer. For example, hacer becomes hacerlo, and this affects pronunciation slightly. Native speakers naturally adjust their pronunciation to accommodate this change, so it’s helpful to listen to native speakers when practicing these constructions.
Pattern Two: Pronoun Before the Conjugated Verb
The Structure of Lo Quiero Hacer
The second pattern places the object pronoun before the conjugated verb. In Lo quiero hacer, the pronoun lo comes before the conjugated verb quiero, and the infinitive hacer follows afterward without any attachment. This pattern follows this structure: Object pronoun + conjugated verb + infinitive. This arrangement emphasizes the object early in the sentence, which can shift focus or create different emphasis depending on context.
Examples of Pattern Two
Here are practical examples using the second pattern:
Lo quiero hacer. (I want to do it.)
Lo necesito comprar. (I need to buy it.)
La voy a comer. (I’m going to eat it.)
Se lo debo explicar. (I must explain it to him/her.)
Te puedo ayudar. (I can help you.)
Notice how the pronoun immediately precedes the conjugated verb in each example. This pattern is also entirely correct and commonly used in Spanish conversation and writing. When you use this pattern, the pronoun and conjugated verb form a stronger grammatical unit than in Pattern One.
Comparing Both Patterns
Are They Truly Equivalent?
From a grammatical standpoint, both Quiero hacerlo and Lo quiero hacer mean exactly the same thing: I want to do it. Both are correct, both are widely accepted, and both convey identical meaning. There are no situations where one is grammatically incorrect while the other is correct. This is an important distinction to understand, especially if you’ve been taught that there’s only one right way to express this idea.
Regional Preferences
While both patterns are correct everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, regional preferences do exist. In Spain, the pattern with the pronoun before the conjugated verb (Pattern Two) tends to be slightly more common in everyday speech. In Latin America, both patterns are used with roughly equal frequency, though some individual countries or regions may show slight preferences. Mexican Spanish, Argentine Spanish, and other regional varieties all accept both patterns without question.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Neither pattern is inherently more formal or informal than the other. You’ll encounter both patterns in formal written Spanish, casual conversation, literature, news articles, and everyday communication. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, regional habit, or the specific emphasis a speaker wants to convey. Teachers and native speakers typically don’t correct learners who use either pattern correctly, indicating that both are equally valid in all contexts.
When to Use Each Pattern
Emphasis and Focus
Although both patterns mean the same thing, subtle differences in emphasis can arise depending on which pattern you choose. When you use Lo quiero hacer, the pronoun appears at the beginning of the phrase, which can create emphasis on the object. This placement might be used if you want to emphasize what you want to do, perhaps in response to a question about a specific object. Conversely, Quiero hacerlo creates a more natural, flowing statement where the action and its object are tightly connected.
Sentence Position
The position of your phrase within a larger sentence can influence which pattern feels more natural. In longer, complex sentences, Quiero hacerlo might feel better because it keeps related elements together. In sentences where the object is being contrasted with something else, Lo quiero hacer might feel more appropriate. However, these are subtle preferences rather than strict rules.
Personal and Dialectal Habits
Many native speakers develop preferences for one pattern over the other based on where they grew up and learned the language. A speaker from Madrid might naturally gravitate toward Pattern Two, while a Mexican speaker might use both patterns equally. As a learner, you shouldn’t worry about developing the exact same preferences as native speakers. Instead, focus on being comfortable with both patterns so you can recognize and produce either one in any situation.
Special Cases and Exceptions
Reflexive Pronouns
The same two patterns apply when using reflexive pronouns like me, te, and se. For example, you could say either Quiero levantarme or Me quiero levantar (I want to get up). Both are correct, and the same principles apply regarding emphasis and regional preference.
Indirect Object Pronouns
These patterns also work with indirect object pronouns, which tell us to whom or for whom an action is performed. You can say Quiero decirle la verdad or Le quiero decir la verdad (I want to tell him/her the truth). The same flexibility exists here as with direct object pronouns.
Multiple Pronouns
When you have multiple pronouns, both patterns still apply. You might say Quiero dárselo or Se lo quiero dar (I want to give it to him/her). The order of multiple pronouns follows specific rules, but the placement before or after the infinitive remains flexible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Splitting the Infinitive Incorrectly
One mistake learners sometimes make is placing a pronoun between the conjugated verb and the infinitive in an incorrect way. You should never write something like Quiero lo hacer as an intermediate option. This construction doesn’t exist in Spanish. You must choose either Quiero hacerlo or Lo quiero hacer, not a hybrid between them.
Forgetting About Accent Marks
When you attach pronouns to infinitives, especially multiple pronouns, accent marks become important. Words like dárselo, explicármelo, and mostrártela require written accent marks to preserve the stress pattern of the original infinitive. Forgetting these accent marks is a common oversight, so double-check your written Spanish for proper accent placement when using Pattern One.
Confusing Pronoun Order
When you have both direct and indirect object pronouns, they must follow a specific order: indirect before direct. You say Se lo quiero dar, not Lo se quiero dar. This rule applies regardless of which pattern you choose, so pay attention to the order when you’re constructing sentences with multiple pronouns.
Practical Exercises
Converting Between Patterns
A helpful exercise is to take sentences in one pattern and convert them to the other. For example, if you see Voy a visitarlo, convert it to Lo voy a visitar. Practice this conversion with various infinitives and pronouns until both patterns feel natural to you. This exercise reinforces your understanding that both patterns are interchangeable.
Listening Practice
Listen to Spanish podcasts, movies, and conversations while paying specific attention to when native speakers use each pattern. You’ll likely notice that speakers use both patterns fluidly without any apparent preference or correction. This exposure will help you internalize both patterns naturally.
Conclusion
The choice between Quiero hacerlo and Lo quiero hacer is not a matter of right and wrong, but rather a matter of stylistic preference and regional habit. Both patterns are grammatically correct, widely accepted, and used by native speakers throughout the Spanish-speaking world. By understanding the structure of both patterns, recognizing their subtle differences in emphasis, and practicing both forms, you’ll develop the flexibility to use whichever pattern feels most natural in any given situation. Rather than limiting yourself to one pattern, embrace both possibilities and use them confidently in your Spanish communication. This understanding will significantly enhance your linguistic confidence and help you communicate more effectively with Spanish speakers from different regions and backgrounds.
