Adverbial Phrases with 'a': Secretly & Blindly (a escondidas, a ciegas)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'a' + noun to create adverbial phrases that describe how an action is performed, like 'a escondidas' (secretly).
- These phrases act as adverbs to modify verbs: 'Lo hizo a escondidas' (He did it secretly).
- They are fixed expressions; do not change the gender or number of the noun inside.
- Most follow the pattern: Preposition 'a' + [noun] + [optional modifier].
Overview
Spanish adverbial phrases constructed with the preposition a followed by a feminine plural noun—such as a ciegas (blindly) or a escondidas (secretly)—represent a sophisticated feature of the language essential for reaching C2-level proficiency. These fixed expressions, known as adverbial locutions, function as a single unit to modify a verb, specifying the manner in which an action is performed. They offer a level of nuance and idiomaticity that simple adverbs ending in -mente often lack.
For instance, while secretamente is grammatically correct, a escondidas evokes a more vivid image of furtive, concealed action.
These phrases are considered linguistic fossils. Their structure (a + feminine plural noun/adjective) is a remnant of a more complete grammatical form, likely an ellipsis of a las maneras... or a las formas... (in the ... ways).
Over centuries, the noun maneras was dropped, but its feminine plural article las left a permanent grammatical echo on the adjective or noun that remained. Understanding this origin is key to mastering their use, as it explains why they are invariable and do not agree in gender or number with the subject of the sentence. Their correct deployment signals a deep, almost intuitive grasp of Spanish grammatical history and rhythm, moving your expression beyond textbook formality into the realm of native-like fluency.
How This Grammar Works
a in this context is instrumental; it indicates the mode or means by which something is done. The core of the phrase is a noun (e.g., gatas in a gatas, 'on all fours') or an adjective acting as a noun (e.g., ciegas in a ciegas, 'blindly').hablar (to speak).claramente (clearly) or you can speak a gritos (shouting, literally 'at shouts'). The phrase a gritos describes how the speaking is done, and it will remain a gritos regardless of who is speaking.La niña habla a gritos.(The girl speaks shouting.)Los directores hablan a gritos.(The directors speak shouting.)
-as is a historical artifact, not a live grammatical agreement. The implied noun maneras (ways) or a similar word is gone, but its grammatical gender and number are imprinted on the word that remains. A ciegas is understood as a maneras ciegas (in blind ways).a ciego if a man is acting alone, nor can you add a definite article like a las ciegas, which would fundamentally change the meaning to be about a group of blind women, rather than an adverbial concept. The locution has become a single lexical item with its own entry in the mental dictionary of a native speaker.Formation Pattern
a + Noun/Adjective (Feminine, Plural)
-as.
a escondidas | at hidden things | secretly, furtively |
a ciegas | at blind things | blindly, without seeing or knowing |
a gatas | at female cats | on all fours, crawling |
a hurtadillas | at little thefts | stealthily, furtively (more literary) |
a sabiendas | at knowing things | knowingly, fully aware (gerund-based exception) |
a regañadientes | at scolding teeth | reluctantly, begrudgingly |
a tontas y a locas | at foolish and crazy things | haphazardly, without rhyme or reason |
a pies juntillas | at little joined feet | firmly, without question (used with creer) |
a duras penas | at hard pains | barely, with great difficulty |
Caminaba a gatas por el pasillo. (He was crawling on all fours down the hallway.) Placing them at the beginning of a sentence is possible for emphasis, but less common: A escondidas, abrió el sobre. (Secretly, she opened the envelope.)
las) or indefinite (unas) article. The phrase is a self-contained unit. Lo hice a ciegas, not *Lo hice a las ciegas.
Ellas entraron a escondidas. (They entered secretly.)
a sabiendas. Here, the -as ending is not from a noun but from the structure of the now-obsolete present active participle in Latin. It functions identically, however, as a fixed adverbial locution.
When To Use It
-mente adverb cannot convey. You deploy them to specify the exact mode of an action, often with a physical, cognitive, or emotional connotation.El bebé exploró la habitación a gatas.(The baby explored the room on all fours.)Después del apagón, tuvimos que bajar las escaleras a tientas.(After the power outage, we had to go down the stairs groping/feeling our way.)El político salió de la conferencia de prensa a toda prisa.(The politician left the press conference in a great hurry.)
A sabiendas is a cornerstone of legal and formal language, but it's also used in everyday contexts to mean "doing something fully aware of the consequences."Firmó el contrato a sabiendas de que contenía cláusulas abusivas.(He signed the contract knowingly, aware that it contained unfair clauses.)Confió en él a ciegas y, como era de esperar, la traicionó.(She trusted him blindly and, as expected, he betrayed her.)No puedes alegar ignorancia; lo hiciste a conciencia.(You can't plead ignorance; you did it thoroughly/conscientiously.)
Se comió el último trozo de pastel a escondidas de su hermana.(He ate the last piece of cake secretly from his sister.)Aceptó ir a la cena familiar a regañadientes.(He agreed to go to the family dinner reluctantly.)Leía el diario de su madre a hurtadillas, sintiéndose culpable con cada página.(She read her mother's diary stealthily, feeling guilty with every page.)
Está organizando la boda a tontas y a locas; no tiene ni plan ni presupuesto.(She's organizing the wedding haphazardly; she has neither a plan nor a budget.)Cree a pies juntillas todo lo que lee en internet.(He believes everything he reads on the internet wholeheartedly/without question.)Lograron apagar el incendio a duras penas.(They barely managed to put out the fire, with great difficulty.)
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect:
El detective entró a escondido. - Why it's wrong: The phrase
a escondidasis an adverbial locution and does not change. It doesn't matter that the subject (detective) is masculine singular. - Correct:
El detective entró a escondidas.
-s, thinking the action is singular. The plural form is part of the idiom's fixed structure.- Incorrect:
Busqué mis llaves a tienta en la oscuridad. - Why it's wrong: The phrase is
a tientas(groping, fumbling). The plural is essential to the established locution. - Correct:
Busqué mis llaves a tientas en la oscuridad.
las that was historically elided. Adding the article changes the meaning from an adverb of manner to a reference to a specific group of nouns.- Incorrect:
Me lo creo a las pies juntillas. - Why it's wrong:
A pies juntillasis the fixed idiom. Addinglasbreaks the locution. It would be like saying "I believe it to the little joined feet," which is nonsensical. - Correct:
Me lo creo a pies juntillas.
a is the standard preposition for this pattern, learners sometimes substitute en or de, which are used in other types of adverbial phrases (en serio, de memoria).- Incorrect:
Se lo dije en bromas. - Why it's wrong: The phrase for 'jokingly' can be
en broma(singular), but if you are thinking of the plural pattern, the impulse might be to use the wrong preposition. The correct phrasea escondidasusesa. - Correct:
Lo hicimos a escondidas.(If the intended meaning is secrecy). The concept of 'jokingly' is expressed with different structures likeen bromaorde broma.
Real Conversations
In everyday speech and text, these phrases are used to add color and efficiency. They are not just literary devices. Notice how they pack a complex meaning into a short, standard phrase.
Scenario 1
- Ana: ¿Qué tal la fiesta anoche? No te vi.
(How was the party last night? I didn't see you.)
- Bruno: Uf, me fui a las 11. Tuve que irme a escondidas para no despertar a mis padres.
(Oof, I left at 11. I had to leave secretly so I wouldn't wake up my parents.)
Scenario 2
- Subject: Revisión del informe de marketing
- Body: Hola equipo, he revisado el borrador. Hay buenas ideas, pero parece que se ha redactado todo a tontas y a locas. Necesitamos estructurarlo mejor antes de enviarlo al cliente. Saludos.
(Hi team, I've reviewed the draft. There are good ideas, but it seems it was all written haphazardly. We need to structure it better before sending it to the client. Regards.)
Scenario 3
- Carla: No me puedo creer que Marta haya invertido todos sus ahorros en eso.
(I can't believe Marta invested all her savings in that.)
- David: Ya lo sé. Se metió a ciegas, sin investigar nada. Yo se lo advertí.
(I know. She went into it blindly, without researching anything. I warned her.)
Scenario 4
- Madre: ¿Qué te ha pasado en la rodilla?
(What happened to your knee?)
- Niño: Estaba jugando a perseguir al gato y me caí. Íbamos a gatas debajo de la mesa.
(I was playing chase with the cat and I fell. We were going on all fours under the table.)
Quick FAQ
Yes, the core phrases like a ciegas, a escondidas, and a gatas are universally understood and used across the entire Spanish-speaking world. Some regions might have minor local variations or preferences, like a escondidillas in Mexico, which is a diminutive and slightly more informal version of a escondidas.
Their formality varies. A sabiendas and a conciencia are formal enough for legal and academic contexts. A duras penas is neutral and widely acceptable. Phrases like a tontas y a locas are more colloquial and best reserved for informal or narrative writing. A gatas is descriptive and neutral. Use your judgment based on the specific phrase and context.
a sabiendas use a gerund? It feels different.It is different. A sabiendas comes from an archaic use of the present participle. However, its function as a fixed, invariable adverbial phrase is identical to the others, which is why it's grouped with them. It answers the question how? (knowingly) and does not change.
a las tantas. What is that?A las tantas is a valid, but different, type of adverbial phrase. It's a locution of time, not manner. It means "very late" or "at an ungodly hour" (e.g., Llegó a las tantas). The phrases discussed in this article are locutions of manner. The rules are specific to the category.
For a C2 level, you should be able to actively use about 10-15 of the most common ones (a ciegas, a escondidas, a gatas, a regañadientes, a duras penas, a tontas y a locas, a sabiendas, a pies juntillas, a tientas) and recognize many more. The goal isn't just quantity, but using them appropriately and accurately to enrich your expression.
Adverbial Locution Structure
| Preposition | Noun | Resulting Adverb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
a
|
ciegas
|
a ciegas
|
blindly
|
|
a
|
escondidas
|
a escondidas
|
secretly
|
|
a
|
hurtadillas
|
a hurtadillas
|
stealthily
|
|
a
|
tientas
|
a tientas
|
gropingly
|
|
a
|
gritos
|
a gritos
|
loudly
|
|
a
|
diario
|
a diario
|
daily
|
Meanings
These are set phrases where the preposition 'a' combines with a noun to function as an adverb, describing the manner in which an action is carried out.
Manner/Method
Describing the hidden or blind nature of an action.
“Actuó a ciegas.”
“Se fueron a escondidas.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
a + noun
|
Lo hizo a escondidas.
|
|
Negative
|
no + verb + a + noun
|
No lo hizo a escondidas.
|
|
Interrogative
|
¿+ verb + a + noun + ?
|
¿Lo hizo a escondidas?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Sí/No + a + noun
|
Sí, a escondidas.
|
|
Variation
|
a + noun + de
|
A escondidas de ellos.
|
|
Variation
|
a + noun + que
|
A ciegas, que es peor.
|
Formality Spectrum
Realizaron la operación a escondidas. (General action)
Lo hicieron a escondidas. (General action)
Se lo hicieron a escondidas. (General action)
Lo hicieron por lo bajini. (General action)
The 'a' Adverbial Map
Manner
- a ciegas blindly
- a escondidas secretly
Examples by Level
Camino a ciegas.
I walk blindly.
Lo hizo a escondidas.
He did it secretly.
Trabajan a ciegas.
They work blindly.
Salió a escondidas.
He left secretly.
No tomes decisiones a ciegas.
Don't make decisions blindly.
Se fueron a escondidas de sus padres.
They left secretly from their parents.
Compró el coche a ciegas.
He bought the car blindly.
Lo guardó a escondidas.
He hid it secretly.
A menudo actuamos a ciegas sin saber los riesgos.
We often act blindly without knowing the risks.
Se reunían a escondidas en el parque.
They met secretly in the park.
Firmó el contrato a ciegas.
He signed the contract blindly.
Ella siempre hace las cosas a escondidas.
She always does things secretly.
Es imprudente invertir a ciegas en un mercado volátil.
It is reckless to invest blindly in a volatile market.
La pareja se casó a escondidas de todos.
The couple got married secretly from everyone.
No puedes avanzar a ciegas en este proyecto.
You cannot advance blindly in this project.
Se deslizaron a escondidas por la puerta trasera.
They slipped out secretly through the back door.
El gobierno ha estado operando a ciegas durante meses.
The government has been operating blindly for months.
Se gestó la rebelión a escondidas de las autoridades.
The rebellion was gestated secretly from the authorities.
Aceptó el desafío a ciegas, confiando en su instinto.
He accepted the challenge blindly, trusting his instinct.
Los espías se movían a escondidas por la ciudad.
The spies moved secretly through the city.
Actuar a ciegas es el epítome de la negligencia profesional.
Acting blindly is the epitome of professional negligence.
Se urdió el plan a escondidas, en los pasillos del poder.
The plan was hatched secretly, in the corridors of power.
A ciegas, se lanzó al vacío sin paracaídas.
Blindly, he threw himself into the void without a parachute.
La verdad se mantuvo a escondidas durante décadas.
The truth was kept secretly for decades.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'en secreto' and 'a escondidas'.
Trying to make the noun an adjective.
Thinking they need a verb.
Common Mistakes
a escondido
a escondidas
a ciega
a ciegas
en escondidas
a escondidas
a ciegasmente
a ciegas
hacer a ciegas
hacerlo a ciegas
a escondidas de él
a escondidas de él
a ciegas de
a ciegas
actuar a la ciegas
actuar a ciegas
a escondidas que
a escondidas
a ciegas de los hechos
a ciegas respecto a los hechos
a escondidas de todos los
a escondidas de todos
a ciegas por la falta de
a ciegas, por la falta de
a escondidas en la noche
a escondidas durante la noche
a ciegas de forma
a ciegas
Sentence Patterns
Él siempre hace todo ___.
No tomes decisiones ___.
Ellos se fueron ___ de sus padres.
El proyecto avanza ___.
Real World Usage
Lo hice a escondidas jaja.
No me gusta actuar a ciegas.
Viviendo a ciegas.
Fuimos a ciegas a la ciudad.
Pedí a ciegas.
El estudio se realizó a ciegas.
Don't translate
Fixed phrases
Use for variety
Regional use
Smart Tips
Use 'a escondidas' instead of 'secretamente'.
Use 'a ciegas'.
Mix '-mente' adverbs with locutions.
Use 'a ciegas' for professional contexts.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'a' links to the next word.
Emphasis
Lo hizo... A CIEGAS.
Highlighting the lack of knowledge.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-C-E: A (preposition) + C (ciegas) + E (escondidas).
Visual Association
Imagine a person wearing a blindfold (a ciegas) while sneaking through a door (a escondidas).
Rhyme
Para actuar con destreza, usa 'a' con firmeza.
Story
Juanito wanted to eat cake. He went to the kitchen a escondidas. He couldn't see the light, so he walked a ciegas. He found the cake and ate it.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your day using 'a ciegas' or 'a escondidas'.
Cultural Notes
Commonly used in daily speech.
Often used in formal business contexts.
Used frequently in storytelling.
Derived from Old Spanish prepositional structures.
Conversation Starters
¿Alguna vez has hecho algo a escondidas?
¿Es mejor actuar a ciegas o esperar?
¿Cómo te sientes al tomar decisiones a ciegas?
¿Qué situaciones requieren actuar a ciegas?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Lo hizo ___.
Actuar ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Lo hizo a ciegasmente.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
He did it blindly.
Answer starts with: Lo ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Ellos (actuar) ___.
A: ¿Cómo lo hiciste? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesLo hizo ___.
Actuar ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Lo hizo a ciegasmente.
escondidas / a / lo / hizo
He did it blindly.
a escondidas - blindly, a ciegas - secretly
Ellos (actuar) ___.
A: ¿Cómo lo hiciste? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisessus / a / padres / escondidas / de / fuma
She did the homework grudgingly.
Match the items:
Select the correct idiom:
El ladrón entró en la casa ___.
Confío en él a pie juntilla.
Translate the sentence:
Choose the best phrase:
Me mintió ___ de que yo descubriría la verdad.
regañadientes / a / la / basura / sacó
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it's a fixed phrase.
Yes, 'a diario', 'a gritos'.
Yes, they are common.
You can, but 'a escondidas' is more natural.
Yes, it implies hidden action.
Only verbs that make sense with the manner.
Mostly universal.
Use them in your daily writing.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
blindly
Spanish uses fixed phrases.
à l'aveugle
French often keeps the article.
blindlings
German is synthetic.
mekakushi de
Japanese word order.
bi-shakl a'ma
Arabic root system.
mang-mu-de
Chinese is analytic.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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