Direct objects without personal a

Level 3

Ordinary human direct objects usually appear without a personal a in the broad standard.

How It Works

He vist la Maria and busquem el director have human direct objects without a. The person's humanness alone does not require the preposition. This differs from languages that regularly mark animate direct objects with a.

Do not remove every a before a person, however. Indirect objects require it in full phrases: dono el llibre a la Maria. Strong pronouns also commonly take a as direct objects: t'he vist a tu. Certain reciprocal and disambiguating constructions have additional licensed uses.

Identify the verb's argument first. Veure algú is a direct-object pattern, while telefonar a algú is indirect. For the neutral noun-phrase examples taught here, omit personal a with the direct object. Learn the limited exceptions as specific constructions rather than declaring every personal a incorrect.

Examples (3)

  1. He vist la directora.

    I have seen the director.

  2. Busquem els nostres amics.

    We are looking for our friends.

  3. T'he vist a tu, no a ell.

    I saw you, not him.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Direct objects without personal aLevel 3

Learn This First

Identify direct objects before deciding whether a belongs. Distinguish indirect recipients that require a.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.