University:
University of North Georgia
Course:
ECED 3050 | Literature & Language
Academic year:

2021
Views:

204

Pages:

1
Author:

Killian Mata

Summary of use of Personal “A” ● To properly understand the personal A in Spanish, you first need to master the concept of the direct object ○ Object that directly receives the action of the verb ■ Ex. Juan compre un coche ● DO = the car ○ A person can also be a direct object ■ Ex. Juan besa a Karla ● DO is Karla ● The personal A has no equivalent in ENglish ○ There is no need to add a preposition between the verb (called) and the subject. But it is necessary in spanish ● Although “A” is most often translated to “to” it has other uses as well. ● Basic rule: an “a” precedes the mention of a person or people who are the direct object in the sentence ○ Ex. Entiendo a carlos ○ Estoy viendo a mi hija jugar ○ ¿Recuerdas a tu tío? ● Even inanimate objects with human names (ex. If someone names their car) require a personal A. ○ Any inanimate object with a human name or treated as a person needs the personal “a” ■ Ex. Emma lleva a su perro en el bolso ○ Countries and cities are included in this case ■ Amo a mexico → i love mexico ● When a question will require an answer with a personal A in Spanish, you need to add in from of the interrogative words Quien and cuanto ○ Ex. A quién crees que engañas? ■ A nadie ○ A cuántas clases faltaste ■ Falte a cinco clases ● If you replace a name with a pronoun, such as alguien or nadie, you need the personal “a” as well ○ Ex. No tiene a nadie en el mundo ● When to not use it ○ Do not use it after the verb tener ■ Ex. tengo dos hermanos? ■ Ex. tienes perro? ● (an exception: you do need to use the personal a when using the verb tener as physically holding someone or to have someone somewhere) ○ Ex. Tienes a mi bebe en tus brazos ○ Do not use it after the verb haber ■ Ex. hay mucha gente en el estadio ○ Don't use the personal A for animals or inanimate objects ■ Unless they are treated as people, animals and inanimate objects to not require the personal A ■ Animals that aren't pets to ot get the personal A.