Reflexive usage of puedo practicar

Question

A friend was going to a local mercado for some spices and I said I wanted to go along "so I can practice my spanish". Since I would be practicing on others I'm guessing this would not be reflexive. "Puedo practicar mi Español."

However, if I were going to sit in the car and practice alone, would it be reflexive since I'm practicing on myself? "Me puedo practicar." ?

Answer 1

"Me puedo practicar" means practicing myself, but you are practicing Spanish - not yourself.. What you're trying to say is, "Yo solo puedo practicar."

Answer 2

In the examples you give you would still say "Puedo practicar...", even if you are not talking to another person.

In fact, I'm not sure that it would ever be grammatical to say 'me puedo' for anything, unless the following verb is reflexive.

I don't think this would fit either because *practicar* is not used pronominally/reflexively either (at least according to the RAE). - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2010

Sorry Izan, I don't follow you. What would not fit? If you are referring to my statement: "unless the following verb..." then I agree that 'practicar' won't fit. I was referring to other verbs that are reflexive: expresarse, quedarse, etc. - chaparrito, Jan 20, 2010

If the following verb was reflexive, I think you would put the DO on the end of the reflexive verb. Right? - Lasairfiona, Jan 20, 2010

Well, I'm not a grammar teacher, but I was thinking "No me puedo expresar bien en español." In this case the reflexive verb is 'expresarse'. - chaparrito, Jan 20, 2010

Answer 3

Doh! Of course. I get it now.

Estoy apriendo pero mas despacio. íGracias, mi amigos!

¡No hay de queso, no más de papa! :-) - chaparrito, Jan 20, 2010

Answer 4

I don't think so. Either way (alone or on someone else) you are practicing Spanish , you are not practicing yourself.

Oops. Already answered.