First of all, the article is a word that precedes a noun in a sentence. Its function is to add meaning to the noun.

In Spanish, there are several types of articles, including neutral articles. A neutral article is an article that has neither gender nor number.

Specifically, “lo” is a neuter article that can be used in many ways for different meanings.

Why is the neutral article “lo” used?

The article “lo” is mainly used to transform other words, especially adjectives and adverbs, into nouns.

It is used, more specifically, to express abstract ideas or objects that are not defined with certainty.

• Lo malo es que no podemos ir allá. (The bad thing is that we can’t go there).
• Lo interesante es que no trabajas mucho pero tienes mucho dinero. (La chose intéressante, c’est que tu ne travailles pas beaucoup mais tu as beaucoup d’argent.)

Be careful, however: do not confuse the neuter article “lo” with the third person singular pronoun “lo” which is always accompanied by a verb.

The different functions of the neutral article “lo”

We have seen that the article “lo” is not accompanied by a verb; it is always part of a nominal phrase.

On the other hand, it is never accompanied by a noun. When the article is associated with a verb, it will have a function of direct object complement (DOC). In this case, ” lo ” can be associated with :

A qualifying adjective :

• Lo importante es que todo pasa muy bien. (The important thing is that everything goes well)

A relative adjective:

• Quiero vivir solo, lo cual da miedo a mis padres. (I want to live alone, which scares my parents)

A possessive determiner:

• Lo tio es mejor. (Yours is better)

A numerical ordinal determiner:

• Lo primero es hacer la tarea primordial antes las otras. (The first thing is to do the primary task before the others)

A prepositional phrase:

• A mi me gusta lo de siempre. (I like the usual)

A past participle:

• Podemos pensar en lo reflexionado. (We can think about what we have thought about)

The use of the article “lo”

The article is used in different forms. Each form has a specific function and meaning.

First, there is the form “lo + adjective” which allows for the generalization of concepts and is equivalent to things and parts:

• Lo pequeño. (The small thing)

Secondly, we also find the form “lo + de + substantive” which refers, in this case, to a subject/theme:

• Ahora, he entendido lo del curso. (Now I have understood the subject/theme of the course)

This form can also refer to a house:

• He pasado todo el fin de semana en lo de mi amigo. (I spent the whole weekend at my friend’s house)

Secondly, the form “lo + más + adjective” or “lo + mejor/peor/único/principal” also exists and has an absolute superlative value:

• Lo peor es cambiar de actitud únicamente para plaer a la gente. (The worst thing is to change your attitude just to please the people)

Finally, “de + lo + más + adjective/adverb” is also used. This form intensifies the meaning of the sentence. In other words, this form can be associated with “muy + adjective/adverb”:

• Mi trabajo es de lo más duro. (My work is very hard)

Finally, the neutral article “lo” is used in different ways and the meaning changes depending on the form of its use.

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