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Old June 23, 2022, 06:10 PM
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Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
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That little word is quite versatile in Spanish.

Some verbs are followed by the preposition 'a' (it isn't introducing a verb complement (direct or indirect object) in this case; it goes with the verb).

A verb complement can be preceded by 'a'.
Indirect objects are ALWAYS preceded by it.
Spanish grammar allows flexible placement of subject and verb complements. It is quite valid to place the subject where we English speakers would expect a direct object. At times, the two need to be distinguished, and placing 'a' before the direct object fills this need.

A prepositional phrase may begin with 'a'.

Lastly, the so-called personal 'a' is used in Spanish. This is used when the direct object is a person (or a personified animal/thing).
You have honed in on this, the personal 'a'. You're right, it doesn't exist in French. It doesn't exist in English, either.
It looks like an extra word that can't be translated. And that's exactly right! But the Spanish demand its use.
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