When to use al versus el...
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How does one determine when to use "al" versus "el" when following a verb before a masculine noun?
Example A: El vaquero está usando un lazo para atrapar al ternero.
Example B: El vaquero está usando un lazo para atar el ternero.
Thanks in advance for any help!
1694 views
updated MAY 2, 2010
posted by motoentropy
3 Answers
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Yesero is correct. Al is one of two contractions in Spanish.
al = a + al
del = de + el
...para trapar el ternero because there is no need for "de" as you are simply saying the calf.
updated MAY 2, 2010
posted by Delores--Lindsey
I wasn't sure if it was actually called a contraction or not. Thanks! - Yeser007, MAY 2, 2010
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"Al" is a contraction of "a el". You use "al" when you need to say "a el" (much like "del" is a contraction of "de el").
updated MAY 2, 2010
posted by aceydoubleyou
thanks ace - Yeser007, MAY 2, 2010
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Welcome to the forum. I'm not one for grammatical advice but I believe it is :
el = "the"
al =" to the" -a shortened version of "a el"
in which case your example A would be incorrect.
updated MAY 2, 2010
edited by Yeser007
posted by Yeser007
It is a contraction of "a el", but you would never actually say "a el" in spanish; the only correct way of saying "a el" is "al". - aceydoubleyou, MAY 2, 2010
