Personal aPersonal aGrammar essential #39Grammar essential #39

Personal aPersonal a

Personal a does not exist in English.Personal a does not exist in English. It is not hard to use or to understand the It is not hard to use or to understand the

rules of how to use it.rules of how to use it. The hard part is remembering to use a The hard part is remembering to use a

personal a because it does not occur in personal a because it does not occur in translation.translation.

Personal aPersonal a Personal a is used in front of any direct Personal a is used in front of any direct

object that is a person or a domesticated object that is a person or a domesticated pet (dog or cat).pet (dog or cat).

I read the book. I read the book. Direct object is book, is it a person or a pet?Direct object is book, is it a person or a pet? NO!!! Yo leo el libro.NO!!! Yo leo el libro.

I see María.I see María. Direct object is María, is it a person or a pet?Direct object is María, is it a person or a pet? YES!!! Yo veo a María.YES!!! Yo veo a María.

Personal aPersonal a

You have to have an object in order to You have to have an object in order to have a personal a. have a personal a.

In order to have an object, the verb has to In order to have an object, the verb has to be an action verb (opposed to a linking be an action verb (opposed to a linking verb).verb).

If you don’t have an action verb, you will If you don’t have an action verb, you will not have a personal a.not have a personal a.

Personal aPersonal a

Personal a will never follow any forms of Personal a will never follow any forms of the verbs tener, estar, and ser.the verbs tener, estar, and ser.

If it has any of the 3 conjugated, there will If it has any of the 3 conjugated, there will not be a personal a.not be a personal a.

Personal aPersonal a

ExamplesExamplesThey watch the children.They watch the children.

Ellos miran a los niños.Ellos miran a los niños.I see him in the park.I see him in the park.

Yo veo a él en el parque.Yo veo a él en el parque.I have the dog.I have the dog.

Yo tengo el perro.Yo tengo el perro.I teach the boy.I teach the boy.

Yo enseño al niño.Yo enseño al niño.