alargarlo

Alargarlo is a Spanish verbal form that combines the infinitive alargar (to lengthen or extend) with the direct object pronoun lo. The lo pronoun refers to a masculine singular noun mentioned earlier in the sentence, so alargarlo means to lengthen or extend “it.” In Spanish grammar, enclitic pronouns can attach to infinitives, gerunds, or affirmative commands, producing forms such as alargarlo, comérselo, or dámelo.

Use and sense

Alargarlo is used for both literal and figurative extensions. It can refer to physically making something longer or to prolonging a period of time or a deadline. The form is versatile and appears in clauses that include future or planned actions, such as voyages, schedules, or tasks. Examples: Voy a alargarlo (I’m going to lengthen it); No quiero alargarlo (I don’t want to lengthen it); Tengo que alargarlo para llegar a tiempo (I have to lengthen it to arrive on time). The pronoun can also be replaced with la, los, las to match the gender and number of the object, yielding alargarla, alargarlos, alargarlas, respectively.

Relation to other terms

Alargarlo is closely related to extenderlo and prolongarlo, which are synonymous in many contexts but carry nuance: alargar emphasizes making something longer; extender can imply spreading or widening; prolongar stresses duration. As with other Spanish verb constructions, the pronoun attaches to the infinitive or can appear with finite forms, as in voy a alargarlo or lo voy a alargar.

See also

Spanish clitic pronouns; infinitive constructions in Spanish; alargar (the base verb).