Controlarlo

Controlarlo is a Spanish verbal expression formed by the verb controlar in its infinitive combined with the direct object pronoun lo, which stands for “it” or “him” depending on the referent. The phrase means to exercise control over something or someone. It is transitive and can be used in a wide range of contexts, from managing a process or device to supervising a person’s behavior.

Grammatical notes: When attaching a direct object pronoun to an infinitive, lo agrees in gender and number with the object. Variants include controlarlo (masculine singular), controlarla (feminine singular), controlarlos (masculine plural), and controlarlas (feminine plural). In simple tenses, the pronoun often appears before the conjugated verb (Lo quiero controlar), or attached to the infinitive as shown (Quiero controlarlo). In periphrastic constructions such as estar tratando de, the pronoun stays attached to the infinitive: está tratando de controlarlo.

Semantic range: Controlarlo can refer to regulating or governing a device, a system, a process, or a person’s actions. It is commonly used in technical, managerial, psychological, and everyday contexts. Although it can imply supervision or oversight, it may carry nuances of constraint or manipulation depending on tone and context.

Etymology and usage: The noun control entered Spanish from French via Latinized sources, and the verb controlar was formed from control with the verbal suffix -ar in the modern era. The construction controlarlo is standard in contemporary Spanish and aligns with similar verb-pronoun combinations in Romance languages.

See also: controlar, control, control de calidad, control de procesos, pronombres átonos.