When to use "Al" and "El"

Question

I would like some clarification of the the phrase, "the following day." In Spanish I see it written "Al dia siguiente." However, the statement, "the day we left" I find written "El dia que salimos." Why does one begin with "Al" and the other with "El"? Thanks for any help you can offer.

Jim

Answer 1

What determines using al as opposed to simply el is a matter of nuance. If the preposition a is used, the phrase has a feeling of leading you to the noun following.

"Al dia siguiente." We look toward the following day

"El dia siguiente" We just at the day with no anticipation.

The difference is very subtle.

Answer 2

El día siguiente would also mean "the following day".

Using al just gives a nuance of upon or on and its use would depend on the context of the sentence that contained the phrase.

Answer 3

'Al' is a contraction of the words 'a' and 'el'. In Spanish one does not say 'A el' but 'Al'. So your first sentence has the 'a' in it, while the second merely contains the article, causing the meaning to differ.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Dia, by the way, is masculine despite ending in a, which is why 'al' and not 'a la' is used.