Why no matching direct pronoun?

Question

I don't understand the first example:

Lo he visto a él primero, y después a ella.

I understand the 'lo' to match the 'a él', but why doesn't the 'a ella' have a corresponding 'la'?

thanks

Accepted Answer

Hola Pippy,
You could. This sentence is omitting it as there is no need to repeat it, but you could also say:
Lo he visto a él primero, y después la he visto a ella.
We are shortening this sentence to:
....., y después a ella.
It would be like saying in English:
"I saw him first, and then her." instead of "I saw him first and then I saw her."
I hope this helps.
Un saludo
Inma

Answer

So if there's no verb, then there's no need for a matching pronoun. Makes sense. Gracias.