alcanzarlos

Alcanzarlos is the infinitive alcanzar (to reach) combined with the masculine plural direct object pronoun los, written as a single word. The form represents a verb phrase in which the action of reaching is directed toward a group of masculine referents mentioned or implied in the discourse. In Spanish, clitic pronouns such as los attach to non-finite verb forms to indicate object reference, producing alcanzarlos in this case.

Usage and meaning: Alcanzarlos expresses the act of reaching or catching up with them, either physically or in a figurative sense (for example, achieving or attaining them as goals). It is used within a larger sentence that contains a finite verb, such as quiero alcanzarlos, puedo alcanzarlos, or vamos a alcanzarlos. The pronoun los refers to a masculine plural set of referents, and feminine or mixed groups would use las or los/las depending on the antecedent.

Pronunciation and grammar notes: When attached to an infinitive, los forms part of a clitic cluster and the whole word is pronounced as a single unit. Other gender-number variants exist for different referents, such as alcanzarlas (feminine plural) or alcanzarlo (neuter/singular). The construction is common in both simple tenses and more complex periphrastic forms.

Examples:

- Quiero alcanzarlos antes de que se vayan.

- Podemos alcanzarlos mañana si seguimos corriendo.

- No pude alcanzarlos ayer porque empezaron a mudarse.

See also: alcanzar, pronouns in Spanish, object pronouns.