"She can start a family."

Translation: Ella puede formar una familia.

[Bruce768614]

I wrote "Ella puede empezar una familia." Spanishdictionary says I'm right but Duo says I'm wrong.

[MexlexSnyder]

While there is more than one verb which means "to start" the "correct" selection depends on customary usage. In this case DuoLingo has the support of Wordreference.com where they say formar una familia = (casarse y tener hijos)

[hg3UVt]

Por que no "ella puede iniciar una familia" ??

[sguthrie1]

Duo did accept my: "Ella puede iniciar una familia."

[vlg1616]

What about the personal a? I noticed in this construction there seems to be no need for the personal a. "Ella puede formar una familia" is shown as correct (vs. Ella puede formar a un familia). I struggle to understand why personal a is not needed here.

[Eric810050]

I feel the same way. ¿Why is the personal a not needed?

[neil538620]

Personal a seems to be used for specific direct object ie my or the something. Indefinite doesn't seem to need it.

[vlg1616]

So is it also correct to say:
Ella puede comenzar una familia?
If comenzar is also correct, should it be
1) Ella puede comenzar una familia
or
2) Ella puede comenzar a una familia? (adding the "personal A")

[vlg1616]

correction: una familia

[uphilldweller]

I'm not sure 'start' is the right English word.

[Bamdorf]

"Start a family" is the most common way to express it in English. "begin", "form", "iniitiate", "create", "have a" etc. are all possible but not as clear, and in some cases may be misleading. Same in spanish, it's a question of what the common usage is that expresses the idea. If it is "formar" then that is what it is, and I just have to learn it.

[LukeSchroe6]

well, you see, there's a little more to it than that..