Acabar haciendo algo

Question

I tried to say "I ended up buying him something." so I wrote "Acabé comprandole algo." My teacher marked it wrong, she changed it to "Acabo de comprarle algo" I didn't want to say "I just bought him something." Anyway, is that not the correct way to say "end up doing something?" Or is it not a very common thing to say?

Answer 1

In my humble opinion you are correct and, your teacher is wrong. The saying is fairly common.

But, you can also say, terminé cómprandole algo......Same thing in meaning.

Answer 2

Yes, I have to agree as well...

...acabé comprando mi iPod allí.

...acabé comprando una camisa.

But maybe your teacher thought you meant to say something else. If I were you, I´d tell her that you are also right.

Answer 3

Dandi, tus respuestas son correctas. Estoy de acuerdo con Nikkis. "Terminé comprándole algo" o "acabé comprándole algo" ¡Felicitaciones!

• Sorry Gus, you are also wright - RicardoP Sep 26, 2009

Answer 4

I'd say:

Acabar DE haciendo algo

The Spanish like to stick random de, a, en, everywhere, jaja

Conocer A alguien - To know someone

I suppose it differs in areas: Spain V South America

Answer 5

Gracias a todos. Maybe she just misunderstood what I meant to say.
Btw is anyone else grossed out by this dog-human hybrid ad i keep seeing on this site?