How to use the preposition ‘a’ in indirect object sentences
In this blog, you’ll learn:
🟢 How to know when to use the preposition ‘a’ and when to leave it out in sentences using indirect objects.
🔹Yo amo a mi caballo Jessy. → I love my horse Jessy.
🔹Yo amo la naturaleza. → I love nature.
🔹Yo amo comer. → I love eating.
🔹Yo te amo a ti. → I love you.
In these kinds of sentences (indirect object sentences), you’re expressing an action directed toward something or someone — in this case: your horse, nature, eating, and “you,” respectively.
When should you use the preposition ‘a’?
Use the preposition a if
referring to things that are both alive and personally significant to you
Do not use the preposition a if
referring to inanimate objects or referring to verbs (infinitive actions)
Example 1
How to say “I love my pets” in Spanish?
Yo amo a mis mascotas | I love my pets
Mis mascotas can be considered both personal and alive at the same time. This is why you have to use the preposition a before mis mascotas.
Example 2
How to say “I love that mountain” in Spanish?
Yo amo esa montaña | I love that moutain
A mountain may be considered alive, but it’s not personal to you the way a pet is—at least not in a typical context. That’s why you wouldn’t use the preposition a before esa montaña.
⭐Quiz 1
What is the correct way of saying “I love my family”?
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More examples
1. My sister loves her horses.
Mi hermana ama a sus caballos.
2. I love nature.
Yo amo la naturaleza.
3. Mom loves plants.
Mi mamá ama las plantas.
4. I love eating crackers.
Yo amo comer galletas.
5. They love my brother.
Ellos aman a mi hermano.
6. You love working from home.
Tú amas trabajar desde casa.
7. I love my kids.
Yo amo a mis hijos.
8. I love my job.
Yo amo mi trabajo.
This rule isn’t 100% strict when it comes to living beings
- Sometimes, it depends on personal perspective.
- Depends on how colloquially someone is speaking.
- There isn’t always a solid reason to choose one form over the other.
Referring back to example 2: “I love nature”, you might hear both:
✅ “Yo amo la naturaleza” and
✅ “Yo amo a la naturaleza”
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