2. THE PERSONAL A

3. The personal A o The personal A has no meaning in English. o The personal A is a bookmark… o It is placed before the direct object in the sentence only on one condition: o Only if the D.O. is a living object.

4. What is a Direct Object? The direct object receives the action of the verb. Lets diagram a sentence! John sees the big dog. 1.Subject 2.Adjective 3.Direct Object 4.Article 5.Verb 1.2.3.4.5.

5. Lets do some more! Maria listens to the radio. I hear the teacher. Juan and Eva watch the baby. SubjectVerb Direct Object Subject Verb Direct Object SubjectVerb Direct Object

6. Lets do even more! Joe gives the book to me. They open the door for us. You play her a song. SubjectVerb Direct Object SubjectVerb Direct Object SubjectVerb Direct Object

7. THE PERSONAL A If the DIRECT OBJECT of a sentence in SPANISH is a PERSON, we have to put the letter a in front of it! If the DIRECT OBJECT of a sentence in SPANISH is a PERSON, we have to put the letter a in front of it! Some examples of a person are: Some examples of a person are: Your dog, Scrappy. Your dog, Scrappy. Your parents Your parents Your girlfriend Your girlfriend The maid The maid Your favorite Spanish teacher Your favorite Spanish teacher

8. But Señor, what about… o But Señor, what about my pet dog? o Yes, use the Personal A o But Señor, what about a random animal? o No, do not use the Personal A o But what about a deceased relative? o Yes, you may use the Personal A o What about somebody that I do not know? oYes, you must use the Personal A.

9. So, do we need a Personal A in these examples? Maria listens to the radio. Juan and Eva watch the baby. I hear the teacher. Maria escucha ____ el radio. Juan y Eva miran ____ el / la bebé. Yo oigo ____ la profesora. X a a

10. Try these on your own! Try these on your own! Pedro invita _____ sus primos. Todos beben _____ refrescos. Las niñas escuchan ______ la cantante (singer) Mamá cuida _____ los animales. Pedro toca ____ la guitarra. Luis lee _____ la revista. Yo veo ____ mi novio. A X A A X X A

11. We eat hamburgers. They read the books. We hear water. Mis padres andan los bicicletas. Mario hace la tarea. Lucia ve su madre. Yo invito ellos a la fiesta. Tú ayudas mi. What is the D.O.?1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.

12. TAREA: Write 3 sentences that all require a PERSONAL A. Write 3 sentences that all require a PERSONAL A. Each sentence must be at least 5 words long. Each sentence must be at least 5 words long. Each sentence needs a UNIQUE verb Each sentence needs a UNIQUE verb And finally, go to www.thehungersite.com! And finally, go to www.thehungersite.com!