When to use "a" after certain verbs?

Question

Why do some verbs require "a" after it? For example:

Yo voy a mi casa. Yo conozco a alguien muy modesto. In these sentences, the word after the verb receives the action.

but why is it "Yo uso la calculadora" instead of "Yo uso a la calculadora" ? Doesn't calculator receive the verb?

Are both correct, or is one of them wrong? Please explain why. Thanks!

Please complete your profile it helps us to better help you. - ray76, Sep 12, 2016

I have opened the post explaining this in detail , go to Q A . - ray76, Sep 12, 2016

Answer 1

Yes, the calculator is the object of the action. But it is not a person. In Spanish, the "personal a" is used where the object is a person, as in your conozco a alguien example.

Your other example, voy a mi casa, is something entirely different: an ordinary preposition.

Thanks mate , I have posted the lesson explaining this , it is one of my old ones , if you want to add to it please do so . I appreciate all your help mate. - ray76, Sep 12, 2016

Jt This is a totally different type of situation.. There is a set of verbs that require "a" see my post and check my link. - Daniela2041, Sep 12, 2016

On my link, only the OP's question addresses the point. The answers, though correct, , address another matter with "a" - Daniela2041, Sep 12, 2016

Thank you. I understand now. - Student1010, Sep 14, 2016

Answer 2

There are other verbs that require "a" such as asistir a. Asisto a la escuela. Asisto a los conciertos de Mariah Carey.

Comenzar+a+ infinitive

Empezar + a + infinitive

Here is a link to another thread on SD that deals with this question. There is no logical reason for this, although some grammarians try to find one. English has many such verbs that have a preposition fillowing. "Shut up" "Put out (the fire) "put up with" (two prepositions--explain that one!)

If you google "Spanish verbs with prepositions following you will run into a LOT of this type of thing.

Here's the Link,

Link to verbs with "a" following

Answer 3

Here is the link to " A "enter link description here

Mi amor, your link doesn't work. Mine does. Besides, This is a different question regarding verbs that require an "a" following. See my post and link. - Daniela2041, Sep 12, 2016

On my link, only the OP's question addresses the point. The answers, though correct, , address another matter with "a" - Daniela2041, Sep 12, 2016