When do I use Reflexive Pronouns as opposed to normal present/progressive?

Question

I'm going over lesson 2.5, and I'm trying to figure out why I wouldn't say something like:

"me conduzco a la tienda" = "I drive myself to the store"

... As opposed to:

"Yo conduzco a la tienda." "I drive to the store"

Or are both of these acceptable--just different in emphasis and style?

I guess I'm starting to confuse myself as to when I would properly use the reflexive pronoun and structure. I would appreciate some clarification. Thank you.

Answer 1

"me conduzco a la tienda" = "I drive myself to the store"

That sounds very strange.

"Yo conduzco a la tienda." "I drive to the store"

That "yo" should be removed; otherwise, it is a perfect sentence, but this "conducir" is used mainly in Spain.

By the way, there is no opposition between reflexive pronouns and present tense. These pronouns have many uses, but the main one is to reduce the number of participants with transitive verbs. Check many of the countless threads on reflexive pronouns. Check the key word "pronominal".

Ah, the pronominal verb "conducirse" is translated as "to behave".

All of that seems a little beyond me, haha. But on a side note, why couldn't I leave "yo" there? I know the conjugation of conduzco already indicates it, but isn't it more formal to leave "yo" in? - lennybird, May 22, 2011

No. If you use "yo" is because you are suggesting that "I do... whereas him/her does...." The pronoun "yo" is used to make "me vs others" constrasts, and there is no such thing here. - lazarus1907, May 22, 2011

Answer 2

You can use conducir as a reflexive verb, as it says here. And your example makes perfect sense.

You can also use comprar reflexively: "Esta tarda, me compré un carro nuevo." This afternoon, I bought myself a new car!

There are many verbs you can use this way.

No, it cannot be used with this sense with reflexive pronouns. - lazarus1907, May 22, 2011

@lazarus1907: Why not? Does it not translate logically over to spanish? For it is merely a variation in English (maybe a little strange, but certainly acceptable). - lennybird, May 22, 2011

Because "conducirse" means "to behave", not "to drive oneself". Check the dictionary. - lazarus1907, May 22, 2011

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Darn it...I knew that too! Somewhere back in my brain. Thank you Lazarus, so much! I know I was right about comprarse though. - Goyo, May 22, 2011

Sorry for the confusion, but are you saying that it is impossible to have a reflexive form of conducir? - lennybird, May 22, 2011

Answer 3

I would say, me llevo a la tienda

If you use a taxi you would use 'llevar' to ask them to take/drive you to whereever it is you want to go...