how do you use a + prepositional pronoun or noun with verbs like gustar'?

Question

for example..

how would u dothis when using

los trabajadores / hacer falta / las vacaciones

How would you make this into a sentence with A + (prepositional pronoun) or noun

and is this really just for emphasis'?

Thanks x

Answer 1

Hi Nicole
Some examples using the verb gustar are
Les gusta a los trabajadores ir a un partido de fútbol - The workers like going to a football match
me gustan los flores - I like the flowers
a mi, me gustan los flores - I like the flowers (with emphasis)

Me hace falta un coche - I need a car

Me hacen falta dos semanas de vacaciones - I need two weeks holiday

Answer 2

me gustan las flores - I like the flowers
a mí me gustan los flores - I like the flowers (with emphasis)

There is no point in using the comma after "a mí" unless you want to make a pause when you speak.

Answer 3

It is not for emphasis, but to indicate its function (indirect object), since the subject of the sentence is the thing that they like (i.e. las vacaciones).

In English the order of the words is very important. Change the position of a word, and you change the meaning of the sentence:

John likes Sally.
Sally likes John.

But Spanish order does not matter so much, because this extra "a" indicates who plays what role in the sentence:

A Sally le gusta John.
John le gusta a Sally.

Both sentences mean the same.

Answer 4

Hi Lazarus
For some reason your replies are being duplicated. Do you know why'

Answer 5

It happens all the time when I use the computer at work. Sorry, I don't know why, and the duplicate messages do not show in my browser.

Answer 6

It happens all the time when I use the computer at work. Sorry, I don't know why, and the duplicate messages do not show in my browser.

Another three of the above messages just came up. I will see if we can do anything this end.