La ‘a’ personal Capítulo 8

Any time you do something (an action) there is someone or something that is receiving the action. We refer to this person or thing as the direct object.

For example: Escribo en la pizarra. I am doing the action and the whiteboard is receiving the action; thus, the whiteboard is the direct object.

Who is the direct object? Another example: Visito a mis abuelos. Who is the direct object?

We use the “a” personal when the direct object fits under the rules listed below: the direct object is a person or a group of people Quiero visitar a mis abuelos. (abuelos is the direct object and you put the “a” in front of it) HOWEVER… Quiero visitar las ruinas. (las ruinas is a place, not a person, and does not require the “a” in front)

the direct object is an animal or pet Busco a mi gato. (gato is the direct object and you put the “a” in front of it) ¡OJO! We DO NOT use the personal “a” after a conjugation of the verb tener. Tengo dos hermanos. (Even though the direct object is a person –hermanos– because tengo is used, we do not use “a”)

3. in a question with “¿quién. ”; being that “¿quién 3. in a question with “¿quién?”; being that “¿quién?” is used, we can infer that a person is involved. Therefore, “a” goes directly in front of “¿quién?”. ¿A quién llamas?