1. Estar and prepositions The verb “Estar” means “to be” when you are talking about LOCATION. For example, you’ve probably heard the phrase, ¿Dónde está el baño?

2. Estar and prepositions When you are talking about the location of objects, use the third person singular form of the verb: está (is). La papelera está al lado de la puerta. The wastepaper basket IS next to the door.

3. DEL vs. DE LA AL vs. A LA In English, we sometimes join words together to make a contraction. For example, instead of do not, we sometimes write don’t.

4. DEL vs. DE LA AL vs. A LA In Spanish, we join prepositions and articles as contractions before MASCULINE NOUNS. When using“A” (to) or “DE” (of) before a masculine noun, write the contraction AL or DEL. La ventana está detrás del escritorio. (DE + EL + Escritorio)

5. DEL vs. DE LA AL vs. A LA When using“A” (to) or “DE” (of) before a feminine noun, nothing changes. La mochila está encima de la mesa. (DE + LA + Mesa)