Emphasizing the object

Fronting the object

Normally, Spanish sentences follow a Subject-Verb-Object order. However, when you are sorting through old possessions, you might want to bring attention to the specific items you are handling.

To emphasize the object of a sentence, you can move it to the very beginning. When you do this with a specific item, Spanish requires a special rule: you must "double" the object by placing a matching direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, or las) immediately before the verb.

Those old magazines, I am going to discard today.
Esas revistas viejas las voy a descartar hoy.

This structure translates roughly to "As for those old magazines, I am going to discard them." Notice how esas revistas viejas is plural and feminine, so the matching pronoun las is required before the verb phrase.

These papers, you piled them up and never discarded them.
Estos papeles los amontonaste y nunca los descartaste.
My old belongings, I have stored in the attic.
Mis viejas pertenencias las he guardado en el ático.

Emphasizing singular items

The exact same rule applies to singular nouns. Just make sure your pronoun matches the gender of the object you moved to the front (lo for masculine, la for feminine).

That shelf, I cleaned even though it was very dusty.
Esa repisa la limpié a pesar de que estaba muy polvorienta.

This phrasing is especially useful when expressing strong feelings or attachment toward specific heirlooms and keepsakes.

The great sentimental value of this photo, you do not understand.
El gran valor sentimental de esta foto no lo comprendes.
My grandfather's heirloom, I keep with a lot of affection.
La reliquia de mi abuelo la guardo con mucho cariño.

Fronting "cada" and "todo"

You can also emphasize grouped objects using words like cada (each) or todo (everything/all) by bringing them to the front of the sentence. As always, do not forget to add the matching clitic pronoun before the verb!

Each box, you must label before the truck arrives.
Cada caja la debes etiquetar antes de que llegue el camión.
Everything that you accumulated, we are going to label today.
Todo lo que acumulaste lo vamos a etiquetar hoy.