Putting words together
Small words that connect a sentence
Prepositions
Express relationships such as place, direction, origin, and company.
The pattern
- En: location; a: direction; de: origin/association; con: company.
- A + el → al; de + el → del.
Voy al mercado con mi hermano.
I am going to the market with my brother.
Why it works: A marks the destination, el belongs to mercado, and a + el contracts to al. Con introduces your companion.
Notice the difference
Estoy en el mercado.
I am at the market.
Why it works: En describes where you are; a described where you were going.
One thing to watch for
Contract a + el to al and de + el to del. Do not contract with the pronoun él: hablo de él (I talk about him).