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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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In Spanish, when the direct object is a person, it is preceded by the preposition "a." This word has no English translation.
Jorge calls María. |
Jorge llama a María.
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The personal "a" may also be used if the direct object is a domesticated animal, especially a pet, provided that the speaker attaches some sort of personal feelings towards the animal.
The woman pets her dog. |
La mujer acaricia a su perro. (acariciar)
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The dog chases the cat.
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El perro persigue a la gata. (perseguir)
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The personal "a" is not used when the direct object is not a person or is an animal for which no personal feelings are felt.
I drink the milk. |
Bebo la leche. (beber)
milk is neither a person nor an animal |
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I look at the tree.
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Miro la árbol. (mirar)
no personal feelings are felt towards the giraffe |
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The personal "a" is not used after the verb tener, or the verb form hay. This is true even if the direct object is a person.
I have 2 nieces. |
Tengo dos sobrinas. (tener)
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There are five spoons.
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Hay cinco cucharas.
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If the direct object is an indefinite person, the personal "a" is not used. The result is that the person becomes "depersonalized."
I need (any) doctor. or I need medical assistance. |
Necesito médico.
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I need (any) gardener. or
I need someone to tend my garden. |
Necesito jardinero.
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contractions a+el=al
Are you taking Raul's cousin? No, I'm taking Pilar's aunt. |
¿Llevas al primo de Raúl?
No, llevo a la tía de Pilar. |
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Is the fork the profesor's?
No, the fork is the profesor's (fem). |
¿El tenedor es del profesor?
No, el tenedor es de la profesora. |
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Only the definite article (el) is contracted. The pronoun (él) is not.
The White House is the president's house. |
La Casa Blanca es la casa del presidente.
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It's his knife.
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Es el cuchillo(y) de él.
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He doesn't like to shave.(long)
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A él no le gusta afeitar.
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many useful expressions are formed by combining two verbs. When this occurs, the first verb is conjugated, while the second verb remains in the infinitive form.
I am going to travel to Spain. |
Yo voy a viajar a España.
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You have just driven.
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Tú acabas de conducir.
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Juan can swim every day.
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Juan puede nadar cada día.
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the verb acabar (conjugated) with an infinitive. The preposition "de" is always used. The formula is:
acabar de + infinitive = to have just done something (in the very recent past) I just took my sister in law to her house. |
Acabo de llevar a mi cuñada a su casa.
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You have just invited many neighbors.
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Acabas de invitar a muchos vecinos .
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Christina has just spoken with my grandmother.
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Cristina acaba de conversar con mi abuela.
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We just read the book.
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Nosotros acabamos de leer el libro.
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They have just swum in the ocean.
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Ellos acaban de nadar en el mar.
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combining two verbs. When this occurs, the first verb is conjugated, while the second verb remains in the infinitive form.
You have just shopped. |
Tú acabas de compras.(comer,keep infinitive)
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Juan knows how to swim.
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Juan sabe nadar.
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One expression combines the verb ir (conjugated) with an infinitive. The preposition "a" is always used. The formula is
ir a + infinitive = to be going to do something (in the near future) I am going to take my co worker to her house. |
Voy a llevar a mi compañera de trabajo a su casa.
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You are going to invite lots of neighbors.
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Vas a invitar a muchos vecinos.
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Christina is going to talk with my step daughter.
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Cristina va a conversar con mi hijastra.
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Edward is going to read the magazine.
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Eduardo va a leer la revista.
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volver a + infinitive = to do something again
I read the contract again. |
Vuelvo a leer el contracto.
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Christina speaks with my step mom again.
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Cristina vuelve a conversar con mi madrastra.
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