“Há” and “A” are two terms that generate a lot of confusion for language users. This is because both have the same sound, but have different spellings.
Here you will find explanations and examples of when you should use each one.
There is
With the "h" the "ha" represents a form of the verb to have. Thus, we can use “there” when the verb to exist is impersonal (without a subject) and has the meaning of “exist”.
This verb form is conjugated in the third person singular present tense.
There is many people in the world.
They exist many people in the world.
Note: Even though the phrase is in the plural, the “ha” remains in the singular.
There is a lot of error in this test.
There is many errors in this test.
We also use the “ha” in sentences that express past tense and, in this case, it can be replaced by the verb “to do” or “to have”.
There is I haven't seen Miguel for many years.
Does I haven't seen Miguel for many years.
There is I haven't eaten sweets for a long time.
Has I haven't eaten sweets for a long time.
Stay tuned!
It is very common to use this term with the word "behind", for example:
I have been in the United States there is one year back.
As the “ha” can be used to refer to something that occurred in the past, it is redundant to place this word in the same sentence.
Therefore, the correct thing would be:
I have been in the United States there is one year.
Curiosity
There is also another form that has the same sound as the “ha”: ah!
In this case, it is used as an interjection, that is, when expressing emotion or feeling.
oh! How nice to see you here!
THE
The “a” is a definite article used before nouns and different from the “there is” that indicates a past tense, this is used to speak of a future action.
Furthermore, it is used when we are referring to distance.
Hence The three years I will go to England.
we are living The five kilometers from the subway.
And the “À” and the “Á”?
In addition to the “a” without an accent, we have two more accented forms that raise doubts when used.
The “à” represents the union and contraction of two vowels: the definite article “a” and the preposition “a” marked by the grave accent: à (a+a). In this case, it is called “back”.
See below for some rules for the use of the backtack.
1. Used before some verbs that indicate destination: go, come, return, etc.
next week i will à Europe.
2. Used before feminine words. In turn, before masculine words, the crasis is not used.
We were à beach this weekend.
3. Used in demonstrative pronouns: that, that and that.
we must not go back that one place in summer.
4. Used in adverbial, prepositional and conjunctive phrases such as: as you go, in a hurry, sometimes in the afternoon, at night, etc.
We left à late to buy clothes.
Already the "will" with acute accent it is not used in isolation, that is, this term alone does not exist. It is used in the stressed (strongest) syllable of a word.
However, there are several accentuation rules that you must know to use it correctly. Here are some examples of “á” words.
sofaá
Áwater
Fácil
Átree
Lápiss
Entrance Exam Exercises with Feedback
1. (Fuvest – SP) “Say _____ they are from here _____ little _____ library door”.
a) a, there, a
b) the, there, the
c) the, the, the
d) to, to, to
e) the, the, the
Alternative c: a, a, à
2. (Mackenzie) Tick the alternative that exactly fills in the blanks.
I have been here since _____ 8:00 am, but I can only stay until _____ 9:30 am, because _____ 10:30 am I will attend _____ solemn session of opening of an important exhibition of modern art, I need to go to _____ Rua 7 de Abril and go to _____ Galeria Sanson Flexor.
a) at, at, at, at, at, at
b) at, at, at, at, at, at
c) as, as, at, at, at, at
d) as, as, at, at, at, at,
e) à, as, as, à, à, à.
Alternative d: as, as, at, à, à, à
3. (FESP) I mean _____ adult attitudes that actually lead young women to _____ senseless rebellion and _____ a senseless escape.
a) at, at, at
b) at, at, at
c) at, at, at
d) to, to, to
e) to, to, to
Alternative c: at, at, at
4. (UFPR) What are the ways that complete, in order, the gaps in the following sentences? From here _____ will start the exam;
Attended _____ new governor inauguration ceremony;
Having not been able to go to _____ college today, I promise to attend _____ all classes tomorrow.
a) to, to, to, to
b) there is, in, to, the
c) a, there, in, to,
d) to, to, to, to
e) to, to, to, to
Alternative e: a, à, à, a
5. (FEI) Mark the alternative that correctly fills in the gaps in the following sentences:
I. Need to say ____ about three thousand workers.
II. In ____ a few years everything will be changed.
III. ____ days is gone.
IV. Coming from distant places, all arrived at ____ time ____ meeting.
a) a - a - there is - a - a
b) à - a - a - there is - a
c) a - a - a - a - there is
d) there is - a - a - a - a
e) a - there is - a - a - a
Alternative to: a - a - there is - a - à
know more:
- Spelling Exercises
- Graphic accentuation
- Stressed and Unstressed Syllable
- Lexical Notations
- Orthography
- English errors
- Repair or repair: which one to use?
- Exception or exception: how do you spell it?