Estudiándolo

Estudiándolo is the non-finite verb form formed from the verb estudiar (to study) in the gerund, plus the clitic pronoun lo. It expresses an ongoing action of studying a thing, with the object referenced by the attached pronoun. This construction is a common feature of Spanish clitic usage with non-finite verbs and is found in both spoken and written language.

In standard Spanish, the gerund can take attached pronouns to indicate the object of the action, especially in progressive tenses formed with estar. For example: Estoy estudiándolo (I am studying it). The attached pronoun agrees with the gender and number of the noun it replaces: estudiándola (for a feminine object), estudiándolos or estudiándolas (for plural objects). When more than one object is involved, combinations such as estudiándoselo (studying it for him/her) are possible. If there are both indirect and direct objects, the indirect object pronoun may become se (le/les) before the direct-object pronoun, as in estuviéndoselo, though the exact form depends on the sentence structure.

Estudiándolo can also function as a participial clause: Estudiándolo, aprendió la materia. This use is common in informal contexts and in narrative writing to link actions in a compact way.

See also: Spanish grammar, gerunds, clitic pronouns.