Why we use a"

Question

why we use a in before verb or after verb. manana es el cumpleanos de mi mejor amigo.voy a tener una fiesta para el. why we use this a (va a ser una fiesta maravilloso. kindly tell me the answer.

                          Thank you

Answer 1

Learning prepositions in another language is something that takes a lot of time and repetition to master. There are a lot of "rules", but often times prepositions are used with no rhyme or reason. One of the many definitions of "a" according to the RAE is, "precede al infinitivo regido por un verbo que indica el comienzo, aprendizaje, intento, logro, mantenimiento o finalidad de la acción". Or in English: "precedes the infinitive governed by a verb that indicates the beginning, learning, attempt, achievement, maintanence or purpose (finality) of an action."

quite right Pescador, nice post :) - Kiwi-Girl, Sep 10, 2012

I hope you don't mind but I've tweaked my lesson to include a couple of extra points from your post - gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, Sep 10, 2012

No problem! - pescador1, Sep 10, 2012

gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, Sep 10, 2012

Answer 2

I hope that this lesson might help you The Spanish 'a' and its many uses

your example fits the third example given in this lesson and here's the excerpt:

3) To connect a verb with a following infinitive

(not needed for all verbs but common after verbs indicating the start of an action as well as some common expressions using this forumula, as shown below)

Empezó a nadar. She started to swim.

Two other common verbs using this formula are:

Ir + a + infinitive = to be going to do something (in the near future)

Voy a nadar. I'm going to swim.

Volver + a + infinitive = to do something again

Pablo vuelve a leer el libro.

Paul reads the book again.