In Spanish sometimes we are going to see when reading or use when speaking AL and DEL. We have mentioned it before in another post, but now, we are going to see it clear.
Let’s start with AL. Basically, in Spanish when the preposition A (To) comes right before the article masculine singular EL (The), We will use AL. Grammatically, AL is exactly the same of A EL → AL, but, using A EL it is not right. Why is it so?
When pronouncing A EL, the vowel A plus the vowel E, is somehow annoying in its pronunciation, so, we just make it easier for the speaker and we just use AL.
Just remember, that AL is A EL grammatically, but easier in its pronunciation. Let’s see an example:
→ Remember the place preposition JUNTO A (Next to).
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ JUNTO AL ARMARIO
THE DESK IS NEXT TO THE CLOSET
It won’t happen if the article that comes after the preposition A (To) is feminine, masculine/plural or feminine/plural. – ONLY WHEN THE ARTICLE THAT PRECEDES THE PREPOSITION A IS A DETERMINANT ARTICLE DETERMINED EL –.
Masculine/plural LOS ARMARIOS:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ JUNTO A LOS ARMARIOS
THE DESK IS NEXT TO THE CLOSETS
Feminine/singular LA CAMA:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ JUNTO A LA CAMA
THE DESK IS NEXT TO THE BED
Feminine/plural LAS CAMAS:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ JUNTO A LAS CAMAS
THE DESK IS NEXT TO THE BEDS
DEL, as you can already imagine, has the same idea. Basically, in Spanish when the preposition DE (Of) comes right before the article masculine singular EL (The),we will use DEL. Grammatically, DEL is exactly the same as DE (Of) EL (The) → DEL, but using DE EL it is not right. Why is it so?
When pronouncing DE EL, the vowel E plus the vowel E, is somehow annoying in its pronunciation, so, we just make it easier for the speaker and we just use DEL.
Just remember, that DEL, is DE EL grammatically, but easier in its pronunciation. Let’s see an example:
→ Remember the place preposition EN FRENTE DE (In front of).
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ EN FRENTE DEL ARMARIO
THE DESK IS IN FRONT OF THE CLOSET
It won’t happen if the article that comes after the preposition DE (Of) is feminine, masculine/plural or feminine/plural. ONLY WHEN THE ARTICLE THAT PRECEDES THE PREPOSITION DE IS A DETERMINANT ARTICLE DETERMINED EL.
Masculine/plural LOS ARMARIOS:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ EN FRENTE DE LOS ARMARIOS
THE DESK IS IN FRONT OF THE CLOSETS
Feminine/singular LA CAMA:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ EN FRENTE DE LA CAMA
THE DESK IS IN FRONT OF THE BED
Feminine/plural LAS CAMAS:
¿DÓNDE ESTÁ EL ESCRITORIO?
WHERE IS THE DESK?
EL ESCRITORIO ESTÁ EN FRENTE DE LAS CAMAS
THE DESK IS IN FRONT OF THE BEDS
