Alone - a solas

Question

Just trying to figure out when the 'a' is needed?

I read in the same article - actually in the same paragraph

... cuando estás solo .... when you are alone

and

..... incluso cuando estás a solas ... including when you are alone

Is there a reason why one is used over the other or are they always interchangeable?

Gracias de antemano como siempre

Answer 1

A solas is used in sentence like: "a solas con Tom" .... or "quiero que hablemos a solas" (just you and me).... in all the other situations you say "me quedo solo", o estás solo (with nobody)...

Thank you veroz but in the examples I gave both are talking about one person being by themselves, alone, just them. - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 1, 2011

hmmm.... "a solas" allways is with someone or something... as in the expression "a solas con la almohada" (thinking by yourself) - veroz, Jan 1, 2011

Answer 2

my salary alone isn't enough -> con mi sueldo sólo no es suficiente

The personal "a" is why you have "a solas" since the direct object is "you" and it relates to a person and you always use the personal "a" in these cases. In the above example the direct object is referring to salary and not a person so the personal "a" is not needed. At least this is how I would look at it but I am no expert.

gracias foxluv, remember too that sólo can mean only - which seems to fit your sentence (although I believe the accent is now not needed) - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 1, 2011