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¿Puedes ayudarme? vs. ¿Me Puedes ayudar?

¿Puedes ayudarme? vs. ¿Me Puedes ayudar?

6
votes

Is there any difference between these two methods of asking? I think both of them mean (Can you help me?) but I'm wondering if there is any advanced grammtical issue or slight different in literal meaning between both of them.

Actually, my question is in gerenal about the difference -if any- between puting the pronoun in front of the verb and attaching it to the end of the verb. Other examples could be: Pongame vs. Me ponga (Give me) ....etc.

21600 views
updated Feb 4, 2012
edited by Mndeen75
posted by Mndeen75
Great question, one which has helped me too. :) - MaryMcc, Jan 24, 2012

3 Answers

6
votes

Yes, both are Correct! Great, well done! grin

I learnt Puedes ayudarme first before I had learnt much about direct and Indirect object pronouns except that you could add the direct object pronoun me onto the end of:

1 the infinitive forms of verbs eg ¿Podría traerme un café con leche, por favor? = Could you please bring me a coffee with milk?

2 the imperatives: eg íAyúdeme! = Help me!

3 the gerundio: dándome Sorry, I cannot think of an example for this

In my view Me puedes ayudar tells the Spanish native that you know a little bit more Spanish eg: how to use indirect object pronouns correctly, than using the more simple form: Puedes ayudarme since this latter construction can be found in Spanish phrase books for tourists.

I hope this helps grin

updated Feb 4, 2012
edited by FELIZ77
posted by FELIZ77
Me has ayudado, amigo, gracias. - Jubilado, Jan 24, 2012
excelente:) - 00494d19, Jan 24, 2012
Muchas gracias, Heidita :) - FELIZ77, Jan 24, 2012
Estoy muy feliz de saberlo, Jubilado :) - FELIZ77, Jan 24, 2012
"gerundio" not "gerund" (but otherwise ... you covered all the bases) - samdie, Jan 24, 2012
Thank you very much, Samdie :) I will change/correct my mistakes immediately so as not to mislead anyone :) - FELIZ77, Jan 24, 2012
Love a challenge over here! How about "Dándome pose, modélame asi amor" Great answer FELIZ77! - musicat, Jan 26, 2012
Gracias - Mndeen75, Feb 4, 2012
3
votes

Both are perfect, the placement makes no difference.

Good job smile

updated Jan 24, 2012
posted by 00494d19
1
vote

In my experience, appending the pronoun to the infinitive is somewhat more common than not and appending it to the imperative is almost universal. Constructions with the "gerundio" (present participle) are far less frequent so it's hard to make judgements based on exposure. However, as Feliz and Heidita have already pointed out, either way is entirely acceptable.

updated Jan 24, 2012
edited by samdie
posted by samdie
THank you Samdie :) I am sure thta you are right about this. However I did qualify my comment by saying/prefacing it with: ''in my view'' and did not try to pass it off as fact . I admit it was probably unwise to make such a comment in any case! - FELIZ77, Jan 24, 2012