Formarlo

Formarlo is a verbal construction used in Spanish (and, in a similar form, in Italian) formed by the infinitive of the verb formar plus the direct object pronoun lo, meaning “to form it.” The phrase attaches a masculine singular object to the verb, so lo refers to a masculine noun previously mentioned, such as el proyecto, el equipo, or el plan. In Italian, a parallel construction uses formare with the pronounlo as formarlo, also meaning “to form it.”

Usage and meaning

Formarlo expresses the action of forming, shaping, or training something or someone. It is most common in sentences where the object is explicit and masculine, and it can function within larger verb complexes, including periphrastic constructions with auxiliary verbs (e.g., voy a formarlo, dobbiamo formarlo) or in subordinate clauses (e.g., Tenemos que formarlo para el puesto). The pronoun can be replaced with other gendered forms to refer to different objects (formarla for a feminine object, formarlo for masculine, etc.).

Pronunciation and grammar

Formarlo is the infinitive with an attached clitic pronoun. When forming sentences, the position of lo follows standard Spanish or Italian pronoun rules; it generally does not require an accent mark, and its placement is governed by the surrounding verb tense and mood. If the object changes, the pronoun changes accordingly (formarla, formarlo, formarlos, etc.).

Examples

- Tenemos que formarlo para el puesto.

- Lo vamos a formarlo poco a poco.

- Formarlo adecuadamente es crucial para el éxito del proyecto.

See also

Clitic pronouns, Infinitive constructions, Spanish grammar, Italian grammar.

---