Breakdown of Estudiar gramática ayuda a escribir bien.
ayudar
to help
estudiar
to study
a
to
escribir
to write
Questions & Answers about Estudiar gramática ayuda a escribir bien.
Why is escribir in its infinitive form instead of being conjugated?
In Spanish, when a verb follows the preposition a (as in ayuda a), it must remain in the infinitive form. The construction ayudar a + [infinitive] expresses that the subject (in this case, the act of studying grammar) assists in performing another action—here, writing well.
Why is there no definite article before gramática? Would it be correct to say estudiar la gramática instead?
When referring to a subject in general terms, Spanish often omits the definite article. Estudiar gramática implies studying grammar as a general discipline rather than a specific set or system. Using la gramática might narrow the meaning, so leaving it out helps convey the broad, general idea.
What function does the adverb bien serve at the end of the sentence?
Why is the main verb ayuda in the singular form even though the sentence involves two actions (studying and writing)?
The subject of the sentence is the entire infinitive phrase Estudiar gramática, which is considered singular. Even though the sentence connects studying with writing, only one general subject is being discussed, so the verb ayuda correctly agrees in the singular form.