a + lo = al
Al and Als
A and lo join into al, and a and los join into als.
How It Works
Two small words become one: a + lo = al, and a + los = als. You must write the joined form. A lo mercat is wrong.
| Words | Written | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a + lo | al | al mercat (to the market) |
| a + los | als | als dròlles (to the children) |
| a + la | a la | a la plaça (to the square) |
| a + l' | a l' | a l'ostal (at home) |
Only lo and los join. Before a vowel, lo becomes l', and then nothing joins: a l'ostal, not al ostal.
The same happens with de, per and sus: del, dels, pel, pels, sul, suls.
Examples (5)
- Anam al cinemà.
We go to the cinema.
Al cinemà: a + lo.
- Soi al mercat.
I am at the market.
Al mercat: a and lo join.
- Maria parla al professor.
Maria talks to the teacher.
Al professor: a + lo again.
- Parlam als dròlles.
We talk to the children.
Als dròlles: a + los.
- Soi a l'ostal.
I am at home.
A l'ostal: nothing joins before l'.
Common Mistakes
Not joining a and lo
Vau a lo mercat.Vau al mercat.A and lo always join into al.
Joining before a vowel
Soi al ostal.Soi a l'ostal.Before a vowel, lo becomes l', and then a stays apart.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Al and als are a merged with lo and los, so the preposition a, the article lo and the overview of contractions come first.
- aThe Preposition a
Know the preposition a, because al is a joined with lo: Vau al mercat.
Level 1 - lo, laDefinite Articles Singular
Know lo, because a joins with it to make al, and with los to make als: Parlam als dròlles.
Level 1 - Elision and Contractions
Know that short words can merge, because al and als are the first merged words learners meet: Anam al cinemà.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- de + lo = delDel and Dels
De and lo join in the same way.
Level 1 - per + lo = pelPel and Pels
Per and lo join in the same way.
Level 1 - a la, de la, per laNo Contraction Before La
Before la, the words stay apart.
Level 1 - susThe Preposition Sus
Sus joins lo and los in the same way, into sul and suls.
Level 1 - l'Elision of the Article
Before a vowel, lo becomes l', so a does not join.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice a + lo = al in Bubblegum
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