Yo quiero *a* mi familia.

Question

Is there a trick to knowing when "a" should be placed before possessive pronouns?

Answer 1

The Personal "a"

The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. In the following sentences, the direct objects are bolded

Mike hit the ball.

George calls Mary.

He calls her.

In Spanish, when the direct object is a person, it is preceded by the preposition "a." This word has no English translation.

Jorge llama a María.

Jorge calls María.

From the perspective of the English speaker, the personal "a" appears to be an extra word. From the perspective of the Spanish speaker, the personal "a" is required, and to not use it is a serious error.

Jorge llama a María.

The personal "a" may also be used if the direct object is a domesticated animal, especially a pet, provided that the speaker attaches some sort of personal feelings towards the animal.

La mujer acaricia a su perro. (acariciar)

The woman pets her dog.

The personal "a" is not used when the direct object is not a person or is an animal for which no personal feelings are felt.

Bebo la leche. (beber)

I drink the milk. -- milk is neither a person nor an animal

Miro la jirafa. (mirar) I look at the giraffe. -- no personal feelings are felt towards the giraffe

The personal "a" is not used after the verb tener, or the verb form hay. This is true even if the direct object is a person.

Tengo dos hermanos. (tener)

I have two brothers.

Hay cinco chicas.

There are five girls.

If the direct object is an indefinite person, the personal "a" is not used. The result is that the person becomes "depersonalized."

Necesito médico.

I need (any) doctor. (or)

I need medical assistance.

Necesito jardinero.

I need (any) gardener. (or)

I need someone to tend my garden.

Because this Spanish grammatical structure has no equivalent in English, it is normal to expect that the student will forget to use it until a pattern of use has been established. Remember, to not use the personal "a" is a serious error, and the student should try to remember to use it when appropriate.

Una respuesta excelente, Eddie :) - FELIZ77, Mar 26, 2013

Eddie, thanks. That makes it clear. I forget to do this all the time. I am on 'serious error overload". - katydew, Mar 26, 2013

Answer 2

Yes, if the thing you are directing the action at is an animate object: a person, a pet with a name (rather than just an animal in general)...something like that, you use the "a" construction.

It doesn't have to do with the possessive part, it's the underlying thing.

• Quiero a mi familia.
• Quiero a mi marido
• Quiero a Juan.
• Quiero árboles.
• Veo a mi familia.
• Veo a Juan
• Veo el árbol.

Yes. - annierats, Mar 26, 2013

Actually, I'm not sure ' qiuero arboles, works..' , in this context. - annierats, Mar 26, 2013

Great answer :) I would say Me gustan los árboles. rather than quiero árboles. I think quiero can just be used for living things with which you can have a relationship ie: people and pets - FELIZ77, Mar 26, 2013

Well, I meant it as in "I want trees." As in, "see this clearing here? I want trees." Just trying to give an example of querer with a direct object, lol! - MyHeadAboveWater, Mar 26, 2013

Answer 3

Wow, this helps a lot! ¡Gracias!

Answer 4

For the personal "a"