Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


A este estudiante

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 31, 2007, 05:44 PM
bleitzow bleitzow is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 89
Native Language: English
bleitzow is on a distinguished road
Question A este estudiante

I'm wondering why these sentences begin with "a" instead of just "este estudiante". Does anyone know?

A este estudiante le gusta la historia.
Al niño no le gusta jugar de tenis.
A las mujeres le gustan té.

Thanks!
__________________
~ Brenda
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 31, 2007, 09:08 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
The phrase that begins with 'a' clarifies (names/gives emphasis to) the indirect object pronoun. In each sentence you provided, the indirect object pronoun 'le' is used. This pronoun, by itself, could be transliterated as 'to him/to her/to you/to it'. The phrases that begin with 'a' are simply clarifying 'to whom' the pronoun referred.

This is why, when a native Spanish speaker is starting to learn English, she often says, "The women, they like tea," instead of, "The women like tea." In Spanish, both the indirect object pronoun AND the 'a' phrase are needed to make the sentence clear and grammatically correct.

By the way, the second sentence should read: Al niño no le gusta jugar al tenis.
The last sentence should read: A las mujeres les gusta el té."

Last edited by Rusty; November 01, 2007 at 05:59 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
¡hola! I need help with este, éste, etc. bleitzow Grammar 5 November 19, 2008 07:58 PM
Mira este hongo Tomisimo General Chat 1 July 12, 2007 12:00 PM
¿Alguien puede comprobar este para mi? pogo Practice & Homework 4 February 21, 2007 01:31 PM
Esto, este, esta Zach Vocabulary 5 June 07, 2006 01:57 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:21 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X