General prepositions Flashcards
What can ‘a’ be translated to? (5)
– to – at (mostly for time) – by (e.g. by foot) – on (on time) – for
What can ‘a’ be used for? (10)
PIMPED IMMP
– Personal ‘a’
– Indirect objects: to introduce an indirect object (to s/o)
– Motion: Indicate motion towards destination (to)
– Period of time: Indicate period of time from something (a las pocas semanas - a few weeks later)
– Every: per, every (tres veces al día)
– Distance: Indicate distance from something (está a 100 kilómetros)
– Infinitive: to connect some verbs to an infinitive
– Mode: indicate the mode/way s/t is done (“a pie”)
– Moment in time: to express a specific moment in time (a las siete)
– Position: Indicate position of something (está a la derecha, Londres está a dos horas de Bristol)
What can ‘de’ be translated to? (4)
– of
– from
– due to (Estoy cansada de correr)
– with (Estamos contentos de nuestro hijo)
What can ‘de’ be used for? (7)
– indicate possession
– indicate cause (due to, of)
– indicate origin (from, of)
– indicate beginning of something (“from now”)
– describe the type of noun (of)
– comparisons within a group (of, than)
– telling the time: in the morning, afternoon etc (de la mañana)
What can ‘en’ be translated to? (5)
– in – on – at – about (e.g. "think about") – by (via)
What can ‘en’ be used for? (5)
– indicate location (in, on, at)
– indicate direction i.e. into (entraron en el cuarto)
– indicate time – in or on (“en 1960”; “en 5 minutos”)
– indicate means of transport
– indicate manner something is done (“en ingles”
What is the impersonal a rule?
All verbs (except tener and haber) are followed by ‘a’ when the direct object is a definite/specific person or animal
I did it by hand.
Lo hice a mano.
He writes in pencil.
Escribe a lápiz.
Do you know Isabela?
¿Conoces a Isabela?
I see my mother.
Veo a mi madre.
We will go to the museum on Tuesday.
Iremos al museo el martes.
I see my mother.
Veo a mi madre.
I gave the gift to Celia.
Le di el regalo a Celia.
I bought the tomatoes for Anita
Compré los tomates a Anita.
We eat dinner at six o’clock.
Cenamos a las seis.
It is Tuesday (not ser)
Estamos a martes.
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia.
Atlanta es la capital de Georgia.
There’s Manuel’s cafe.
Allí está el café de Manuel.
I am tired from running.
Estoy cansado de correr.
From now on I’m only going to drink coffee in the morning.
De ahora en adelante solo voy a tomar café en la mañana.
Sonia is the most intelligent in the family.
Sonia es la más inteligente de la familia.
Juan is the biggest of all the 5th-grade students.
Juan es el más grande de todos los estudiantes del quinto grado.
There are more than 10 people in the history class.
Hay más de 10 personas en la clase de historia.
