When to use "a" with a transitive verb?

Question

when to use "a" with a transitive verb? You say "adoptar las libertades democráticas", however, you say "matar a las gallinas" What is the rule for using "a"?

I never saw any explanatory text on the subject. Please help!!

Answer 1

You always use 'a' when the direct object of the verb is a living thing or a person.

Thus, because 'gallinas' are alive, you must use a 'personal a' to direct the verb to them.

But because 'libertades democráticas' are not alive, they do not require an 'a' in order to receive the action of the verb.

I hope that makes sense!

Answer 2

Well, my empirical answer would be that you have to use the a where in English you would use to, for example.

Adoptar las libertades democráticas = adopt democratic freedoms and not adopt to the democratic freedoms, as in the other example.

Matar a las gallinas = kill the hens but not kill hens.

I hope to have helped you, again, this is just empirical, I am not saying that this is a rule and maybe you can find some exceptions to what I am saying.

I think it's more complicated :( La gallina que mata Brad Pit. - The chicken that Brad Pit kills. La gallina que mata a Brad Pit. - The chicken that kills Brad Pit. < This is from "Bueno Entonces" and impossible to get my head around! - rabbitwho, Mar 15, 2011