Putting words together
Helping someone do something
Ayudar a + infinitive
When you help someone do an activity, link ayudar to the next verb with a.
The pattern
- Ayudar + person + a + infinitive.
- Conjugate ayudar; leave the activity in its dictionary form.
¿Me ayudas a montar la cuna?
Can you help me assemble the crib?
Why it works: Ayudas agrees with tú; a introduces montar.
Notice the difference
Te ayudo a cocinar.
I help you cook.
Why it works: Ayudo changes with the speaker, but a cocinar stays the same.
One thing to watch for
English “help me cook” has no linking word, but Spanish uses a: ayudar a cocinar.