ayudan
/ah-YOO-dahn/
they help
When two or more people assist someone or something, ayudan (they help).
ayudan(Verb)
they help
?present tense action
,you all help
?formal plural address (ustedes)
they assist
?formal or professional context
📝 In Action
Mis padres siempre me ayudan con el trabajo de la escuela.
A1My parents always help me with school work.
Ustedes ayudan mucho a la comunidad con esas donaciones.
A2You all help the community a lot with those donations.
¿Quiénes ayudan a organizar la fiesta de fin de año?
A2Who is helping to organize the end-of-year party?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'A' Connector
When 'ayudar' is followed by another action (a verb), Spanish usually uses the connector 'a': 'Ellos ayudan a limpiar' (They help to clean). English often drops the 'to'.
Who is Doing the Helping?
'Ayudan' is only used when the group doing the action is 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Subject
Mistake: "Yo ayudan."
Correction: Yo ayudo. Remember that 'ayudan' is only for groups of people.
Dropping the 'A'
Mistake: "Ellos ayudan cocinar."
Correction: Ellos ayudan a cocinar. Always include the 'a' before the next verb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
If you are talking to a group of friends, you would likely use 'vosotros ayudáis' (in Spain) or 'ustedes ayudan' (in Latin America).
When a group provides resources or effort toward a common goal, ayudan (they contribute).
ayudan(Verb)
they contribute
?to a cause or solution
,they benefit
?describing abstract factors
they are conducive to
?formal language about outcomes
📝 In Action
Estas nuevas políticas ayudan al desarrollo sostenible de la región.
B1These new policies contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
Los datos recopilados ayudan a entender mejor el problema.
B2The collected data helps (or: contributes) to better understanding the problem.
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract Subjects
In this meaning, the subject using 'ayudan' is often not a person, but an abstract thing like 'policies,' 'reports,' or 'studies.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
Using 'ayudan a' in this abstract way (e.g., 'el clima ayuda a la cosecha') adds a slightly more formal or analytical tone than simply using 'es bueno para' (it is good for).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ayudan
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ayudan'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'ayudar' means 'to help,' why is the word 'ayudan' and not 'ayudar'?
'Ayudar' is the base form (the infinitive). 'Ayudan' is the specific form you must use when the people doing the helping are a group ('they' or 'you all, formal') and the action is happening now or generally.
Is 'ayudan' used in the present subjunctive mood too?
Yes, 'ayudan' is the form used for 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' in the present indicative (for facts) AND 'ayuden' is the form used in the present subjunctive (for wishes, doubts, or requests). Be careful not to confuse them!