Spanish Object Pronouns: 'Quiero verlo' and 'Lo quiero ver'

Welcome back to Flavors of Spanish! If you're learning Spanish and have stumbled upon some grammatical confusions, you're not alone. Today, inspired by a common question I saw on an online forum, we're breaking down the use of direct object pronouns in constructions with infinitive verbs. Have you seen phrases like "Quiero ver lo" or "Quiero lo ver" and wondered which is correct? Spoiler: Neither is quite right, but there are standard ways that will keep you from making mistakes. Let's dive in step by step so you can master this and sound like a native.

Why Does the Confusion Arise?

In forums and language learning communities, questions about pronoun placement are frequent. For instance, someone might ask: "How do you say 'I want to see it' in Spanish? Is it 'Quiero ver lo' or 'Quiero lo ver'?" This happens because Spanish offers flexibility in where direct object pronouns (like "lo," "la," "los," "las") go, but there are clear rules to avoid sounding off or incorrect.The direct object is what receives the verb's action directly (e.g., "it" in English). In Spanish, these pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition. The key is how they combine with conjugated verbs and infinitives, like in "querer + ver."

The Basic Rules of Placement

According to the standard grammar from the Real Academia Española (RAE), direct object pronouns can be placed in two main ways when there's a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive:

1. Before the conjugated verb: The pronoun goes right before the main (conjugated) verb. Example: Lo quiero ver. Here, "lo" is placed before "quiero," and the infinitive "ver" follows.
2. At the end of the infinitive: The pronoun attaches to the end of the infinitive, forming one word. Example: Quiero verlo. Note that an accent is added to "verlo" to keep the correct pronunciation.

Important: Forms like "Quiero ver lo" are incorrect because the pronoun can't float separately after the infinitive without attaching. "Quiero lo ver" isn't standard either; it seems like a direct translation from English and isn't used in native Spanish.This flexibility isn't slang or a extreme regionalism; both forms are correct and used across the Spanish-speaking world. However, in formal or written contexts, "Lo quiero ver" can sound more emphatic, while "Quiero verlo" flows better in everyday speech.

''Quiero verlo'' and ''lo quiero ver'' are both right.

Practical Examples to Get It Right

Let's see how this applies in real situations. Suppose "it" refers to a movie ("la película" = "la").

• Quiero verla (attached to the infinitive).
• Example in context: "The new Marvel movie comes out tomorrow. 
• Quiero verla en el cine." (I want to see it at the cinema.)

Other pronouns:

• Masculine plural: "los" → "Quiero verlos" or "Los quiero ver" (the books).
• Feminine singular: "la" → "Quiero comerla" or "La quiero comer" (the apple).

Try practicing: How would you say "I need to buy them" (referring to shoes, "los zapatos")? Correct answers: "Necesito comprarlos" or "Los necesito comprar."

Learn in this engaging short how to use the phrases “quiero verla” and “la quiero ver,” which are equivalent.👇

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Mistake #1: Separating the pronoun at the end, like "Quiero ver lo." Solution: Always attach it or move it to the front.
• Mistake #2: Forgetting the accent in words like "verlo" (it should be "vér-lo," not "ver-lo").
• Mistake #3: Confusing with indirect objects (like "le" for "to him/her"). We're focusing on direct objects today, but if "it" implies "to it," it might change.
• Tip for beginners: Use apps like Duolingo or Babbel for practice, or join forums like Reddit's r/learnspanish for real examples.

In regional variations, like Spanish from Spain vs. Latin America, the placement is similar, but voseo (in Argentina, for example) might change the verb: "Querés verlo" or "Lo querés ver."

Why Does This Matter in Your Learning?

Understanding these nuances not only fixes errors but makes your Spanish more natural and fluid. Imagine chatting with friends in Mexico or Spain: correct phrases will help you connect better. Plus, in exams like the DELE, mastering pronouns is key to high scores.

Conclusion: Practice and Master It!

Direct object pronouns in Spanish give you options, but remember: attach them to the infinitive or place them before the conjugated verb. Avoid weird separations and practice with everyday examples. If you apply this, you'll see quick improvements in your fluency.Got more grammar questions? Want examples with other verbs like "poder" or "deber"? Share this article if it helped, and subscribe to the blog to stay updated. Until next time, keep savoring Spanish! 

Original content. © 2026 Tutorrizo.All rights reserved