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- "Ellos derrotan a sus enemigo…
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i think (someone correct me if i'm wrong) but it doesn't accept "they defeated their enemies" because that would be past tense
Neither "Destroy", although I suppose one could defeat one's enemies without destroying them. May require the white flag.
They vanquish is still not accepted as of June 2018.
derrotar (vencer) = defeat; vanquish; beat
would you still put the "a" in the sentence if said enemies were, for example, wild animals instead of domesticated animals or people?
This practice varies. Some of us were taught to speak a certain way, which agrees with the written rules. The rule is that people get it, and animals you love or other things you love and tend to personify (like your country sometimes) get the personal a. However, in practice, some people throw the personal a around a lot more in cases that don't follow the rule.
It's a matter of preference to some, it seems. You now know (my English paraphrased version from memory of) the rule on paper. The question is, how much of language is rules, and how much is just use (as long as the speaker and listener both understand each other)?
My opinion is that rules matter because they help preserve language enough for us all to understand each other, but the language exists for the people to communicate, not to limit them with arbitrary rules. In the case of the personal a, neither way will prevent the message from being understood. I'll use it the way I was taught, because that's how it is familiar to me. Also, speaking according to the rules helps people who aren't as familiar with the language. It's hard enough understanding a foreign language when spoken according to rules. Maybe I'm more careful because I've had to work around people who weren't very familiar with either Spanish, English, or both in some cases.
DaBibliophile: Duolingo uses the personal "a" for animals and all persons. I do not think it is correct, but they do it so we have to live with it if we are using Duo.
DaBibliophile: I agree with [deactivated user]. It is not correct, but it appears that Duolingo requires the use of the personal "a" with all people and animals.
Duo won't accept foes for enemies---too bad, fewer keystrokes. 09/02/2015
If there is no additional context, especially in Duo, it's safe to assume that if they use a possessive adjective "su" or "sus" - it will usually belong to whoever was already mentioned in the sentence.
Since they used "ellos", "sus" is probably referring back to "them/theirs"
If they wanted this one to be "his" it would probably be phrased: Ellos derrotan a los enemigos de él.
That being said, your answer is technically correct too since "su" can mean his/hers/its/theirs. Report it.
Yes, "beat" was what I chose to use, just to see if DL would accept, and because it's more casual to my ears, and it was accepted.
Maybe, but I doubt it. I think the computer will see beat and see strike, hit, or beat eggs, and that is a different verb.
319
No, each sentence and its every translation is hand-entered by the course contributors, no machine input involved.
I think the fact that you said, "their enemies" versus the enemies gives further clarification as to why we use the personal "a".
Hola radiochris: Yes, that is correct. Just curious. Why did you post it here?
I don know when you posted this comment, but it still hasnt been fixed!
June 24, 2014
The direct object pronouns usually replace the direct object, while the indirect object pronouns are (in most sentence constructions) required, regardless of whether the indirect object is actually stayed. In other words, if they state what the direct object is, you don't need the pronoun. Indirect objects are different.
I cannot know what enemies.
They defeat their enemies. (de ellas/ ellos). They defeat his enemies. (de él). They defeat her enemies. (de ella). ___ They defeat your enemies. (de usted/ ustedes).
I cannot know what enemies.
They defeat their enemies. (de ellas/ ellos). They defeat his enemies. (de él). They defeat her enemies. (de ella). ___ They defeat your enemies. (de usted/ ustedes).
My answer "They defeated their enemies" was considered incorrect. It should be correct
I was wondering if derrotar is a reflexive verb... When I used Spanishdict.com, the conjugation was given as "me derroto", is "me" necessary?
What about in the Terminator scenario where the enemies are machines, is "Ellos derrotan sus enemigos." (without the "a") correct?
They definitely say "Ellas derrotan a sus enemigos" in the slow version and "Ello derrotan a sus enemigos" in the normal version
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I used "conquer" and Duo rejected it, but I reported it. I think it has the equivalent meaning in English.
