In Spanish, the preposition a is placed in front of a noun or pronoun that refers to a specific person or persons functioning as the direct object of the sentence. Remember, the direct object is that which receives the action of the verb directly.
For example, in the following sentence Sandra is the subject and Miguel is the direct object.
Sandra sees Miguel. Sandra vee a Miguel.
This grammar aspect does not exist in English and is therefore difficult to use with regularity when first speaking Spanish. Memorizing the rules below is useful and over time learners develop a feel for when to use it and when not to.
Use the personal a in the following situations:
1. When referring to a specific person or persons even if you do not know them.
2. With words that represent people, such as: her (ella), someone (alguien), el grupo (the group)
3. When referring to someone’s pet, a god or deceased persons.
4. Before each person in a sentence in the position of a direct object.
Example Sentences:
I don’t know Mrs. Garcia. “No conozco a la señora Garcia.”
I visit Miguel and Juan. “Yo visito a Miguel y a Juan.”
Don’t use the personal a in the following situations:
1. When referring to a nonspecific person or someone who may or may not exist.
2. When referring to a wild or zoo animal.
3. In most cases after the verb ‘tener.’
Example Sentences:
I need a new doctor. “Necesito un nuevo doctor.”
I have a son. “Tengo hijo.”
Your turn. Which of the following sentences require the use of the personal a?
1. Yo visito mucho ………. Paco.
2. Tengo ………. tres primos.
3. Compro………. el libro.
4. Veo ………. alguien en la casa.
5. Necesito ………. un nuevo novio.
Idiomatic expressions or idioms are phrases that do not translate directly from one language to another and are often couched in the history and language of a specific culture. A good example of an idiom is, “it’s raining cats and dogs.” To a native English speaker it is obvious that people’s pets are not literally falling from the sky but to a learner of English this expression could be very confusing indeed!
