Prepositions

Prepositions are like “glue” they link nouns and other words together. They can tell us four things: location, direction, time, and relationship.

The puppy is on the floor.

The puppy is in the trash can.The puppy is beside the phone.

“a” to (a + el = al) You contract a (to) and el (the), to

make al but DON’T contract a (to) and él (he).

Ex: Yo escucho al profesor. (I listen to the teacher) at at + time (a la ___ / a las ___) Ex: Yo llego a las ocho. (I arrive at 8:00)

(to + the)

Personal “a”-Does not translate into English -If a person/pet is receiving the action of a verb, you must put an

“a” in front of the person in the sentence Ex: Yo beso a Juan. (I kiss Juan) Ella visita a Joey. (She visits Joey) -Do not use the personal a with TENER (to have) or when you are

NOT talking about a specific person receiving the action Necesito un voluntario. Busco a un chico alto. I need a volunteer. I am looking for a tall boy. (not specific) (specific)

en

in Yo nado en la piscina. (I swim in the pool)

on el libro está en el pupitre. (The book is on the desk.)

at a place Ella trabaja en In-N-Out. (She works at In-N-Out.)

Remember, in Spanish, “en” is always at a place

“de”from Ex: yo soy de méxico. (I am from Mexico)

of (In Spanish, “of” can turn nouns into adjectives)

Ex: la clase de español. (The spanish class. = The class of Spanish.)

about Ex: el libro de amor. (The book about love)

possession de + el = del el libro del niño.

* Spanish does not have the possessive ’S El libro del niño. (The book of the boy)

(from/of + the) (The boy’s book. )

Con

with conmigo = with me contigo = with you Sin = without

Para

For Ex: un regalo para ella. (A gift for her)

in order to (para + infinitive) Don’t EVER conjugate after propositions in Spanish.

Ex: estudio para sacar buenas notas. (I study in order to get good grades)