animar [a] — use of “a” required?

A G.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Do the brackets around “a” mean that it can be used at the speaker’s discretion, or its use sometimes or always required?

Could I have said, “Os animo que vengáis” or “Me han animado comprar un perro” ?

Asked 4 years ago

InmaKwiziq Head of Spanish, Native Spanish Teacher

Hola A,

you always need to use "a" after animar if you are talking about "encouraging someone to do something", so it'd be:

Os animo a que vengáis.

Me han animado a comprar un perro.

Inma

Like14 years ago

A G. asked:

Do the brackets around “a” mean that it can be used at the speaker’s discretion, or its use sometimes or always required?

Could I have said, “Os animo que vengáis” or “Me han animado comprar un perro” ?

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