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THE “PERSONAL A”. The personal “A”. The personal A has no meaning in English. The personal A is a bookmark… It is placed before the direct object in the sentence only on one condition: Only if the D.O. is a living object. What is a Direct Object?.
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The personal “A” • The personal A has no meaning in English. • The personal A is a bookmark… • It is placed before the direct object in the sentence only on one condition: • Only if the D.O. is a livingobject.
What is a Direct Object? The direct object receives the action of the verb. Let’s diagram a sentence! John sees the big dog. 1. 5. 4. 2. 3. • Subject • Adjective • Direct Object • Article • Verb
Let’s do some more! Maria listens to the radio. Direct Object Subject Verb Juan and Eva watch the baby. Direct Object Verb Subject I hear the teacher. Direct Object Subject Verb
Let’s do even more! Joe gives the book to me. Direct Object Subject Verb You play her a song. Direct Object Subject Verb They open the door for us. Direct Object Subject Verb
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! • Some examples of a person are: • Your dog, Scrappy. • Your parents • Your girlfriend • The maid • Your favorite Spanish teacher
But Señor, what about… • But Señor, what about my pet dog? • Yes, use the Personal A • But Señor, what about a random animal? • No, do not use the Personal A • But what about a deceased relative? • Yes, you may use the Personal A • What about somebody that I do not know? • Yes, you must use the Personal A.
So, do we need a Personal A in these examples? Maria listens to the radio. X Maria escucha ____ el radio. Juan and Eva watch the baby. a Juan y Eva miran ____ el / la bebé. I hear the teacher. a Yo oigo ____ la profesora.
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
Your homework: • Write 1 sentence, completely labeling them (subject, verb, and direct object) • Be ready to present them out loud to the class tomorrow! • And finally, go to www.thehungersite.com!
Your homework: • Write 2 sentences, completely labeling them (subject, verb, and direct object) • One must have a direct object, the other must not. • Be ready to present them to the class tomorrow! • And finally, go to www.thehungersite.com!