Using a instead of para

Anthony F.B2Kwiziq community member

Using a instead of para

In the exercise the phrase 'Haciendo la compra a mis mayores' is used. I would have expected 'para mis mayores'. Is the use of 'a' instead a common Spanish usage?

This question relates to:Spanish interactive reading exercise "Haciendo la compra a mis mayores"

Reading A2, Family & Relationships, Listening or Seeing A2

Asked 3 months ago

Like0Answer1

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Anthony

Yes, you can also say "para mis abuelos" with exactly the same meaning. Sometimes we use "a + person" as an indirect object, the same way we would say for example:

Le compré unas flores -> Compré unas flores a María -> Compré unas flores para María

It doesn't work with all verbs that use an indirect object with "a" - for example, you can't say "Le dije una cosa para Luis" (meaning "Le dije una cosa a Luis". But with "comprar" you can.

Saludos

Inma

Like13 months ago

Anthony F. asked:

Using a instead of para

In the exercise the phrase 'Haciendo la compra a mis mayores' is used. I would have expected 'para mis mayores'. Is the use of 'a' instead a common Spanish usage?

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