CSG294

283

Prepositions

The “personal a” (different from the preposition a) is reąuired in the following contexts:

•    before a noun if that direct object noun is a specific person or persons. Remember that a fol-lowed by the article el will result in the contraction al.

Llamo a las cliicas.    I am calling the girls.

Veo al cartero.    I see the mail carrier.

Notę: One exception to the use of the personal a before a direct object noun is the verb tener. Do not use the personal a after tener followed by a specific person or persons.

Tenemos parientes en San Francisco.    We have relatives in San Francisco.

•    with pronouns like alguien, nadie.

No veo a nadie en este restaurante.    I do not see anyone in this restaurant.

•    with domestic animals, highlighting the bond of affection between human beings and pets.

La nena adora a su gatito.    The little girl adores her kitten.

ejercicio

En espańol. Use the preposition a.

1.    This house smells like fish. _

2.    Are you calling Rosa or Manuel? _

3.    I love my canary! _

4.    They do not invite anyone to their anniversary (party). _

5.    My soup tastes like parsley (perejil). _

6.    Do you (Uds.) know anyone in this class? _

7.    The flowers cost three dollars a dozen. _

8.    The train station is ten miles from my house. _

9.    Luisa takes care of (cuidar) my cat. _

Uses of Prepositions and Their English Ecpii\ alents

A preposition may combine with other parts of speech as follows:

• A noun + a preposition (often de or para) + another noun may modify a noun or a pro-noun. The resulting phrase functions as an adjective. In English, a noun alone can serve as an adjective.

Lee compra la bandeja de ceramica.    Lee buys the ceramic tray.

Es un tiesto para flores.    It is a floiuerpot.