In the morning
When do you use: 1) En la mañana 2) A la mañana 3) Por la mañana.
My understaning is the following: 1) Use 'en la mañana' when referring to a general activiy, for example:: a) Voy al trabajo en la mañana y estudio en la tarde. 2) Use a la mañana when there is no action, for example: a) Ella se despertó a la mañana. b) No haga ruido a la mañana. c A la mañana no hay casi nadie. d) Ya no está a la mañana 3) Use por la a mañana when there is an acion, for example: a) voy a salir por la a mañana. b) Yo solía pasear por la a mañana.
However, when I see examples, it is not that clear cut. They all seem interchangeable.
I could use some help.
Thanks
1 Answer
The really proper phrase is "por la mañana." However you hear now quite often, especially among Mexicans: "en la mañana" All the textbooks teach the "por la mañana" version.
A useful phrase is "mañana por la mañana" which means "tomorrow morning.
Your other variations are not taught at all in the textbooks, but are probably regionalisms. They are not used at all by any of the native Spanish Speakers at the college where I teach-including myself--with the exception of "en la mañana." They are all Mexicans and Mexican Americans. I'm from Spain.
I just remembered one use for "a la mañana." "De la noche a la mañana" (From night to the morning or "overnight") "a la mañana" is used in other phrases like "a la manana siguiente" but this usage is very very limited to stock phrases.
Of course, when expressing "a.m." or "p.m" we say "Son las siete de la mañana" or seven a.m. "de la tarde" and de la noche" for the p.m's.
