A PERSONAL
WHAT IS A DIRECT OBJECT? A direct object is the person or object receiving the action of a verb. Por ejemplo Mary hit the ball George calls Mary He calls her
There is no translation for this in English. In Spanish, when the direct object is a person, the word “a” comes before the direct object. Juan llama a Ana There is no translation for this in English.
The personal a may also be used with a domesticated animal if the animal is your pet. The personal a is not used when the direct object is not a person or no feelings are felt for the animal Por ejemplo Yo lavo a mi perro Spot Yo miro la jirafa (no personal connection) Yo bebo la leche
The personal a is not used after the verb tener o after the verb form hay Por ejemplo Tengo dos hermanas Hay treinta personas en la clase
If the direct object is not a specific person, the personal a is not used Por ejemplo Yo necesito médico (I need a doctor, (any) doctor/medical assistance) Yo necesito jardinero (I need a gardener (any) gardener) In these examples the direct object is an indefinite person.
Fill in the blank with the personal a if necessary, if not, write an X Yo veo ___ Carolina Yo veo ___ la casa de Carolina La profesora escucha ___ los estudiantes. Yo escucho ___ la música. Visito ___ mis abuelos. Visito ___ la cuidad de mis abuelos. Usted tiene ___ muchos hermanos. Hay ___ treinta y uno estudiantes en la clase.