emmène spelling

Hi Cecile and Kim,

Doesn't amener work here also? Next time he is bringing me with him.  I'm not sure whether one is more correct than the other, and I'm sure I can't hear the difference yet, but I think either one will work here.

Ah, the nuances of learning a foreign language. We learn that "amener" translates "to bring someone" and "emmener" translates "to take someone". If only it were that easy! There will be many phrases like this one that are in direct conflict with what we have learned. And the only advice I have is that you have to adjust. In other words, "emmener" doesn't always translate to "to take someone". Sometimes it translates (for U.S. speakers) to "to bring someone". Don't get too caught up in the literal translations; just try to get familiar with the phrases. I suspect that will be the suggestion for me with the question I am soon going to post.

The difference between amener and emmener is not just 'to bring' versus 'to take'. They add a further element to the meaning, that the English doesn't necessarily include. 

The first link below covers the differences well and indicates an easy way to remember the correct choice of the root verbs of '-porter' or '-mener'. 

The 2nd link below has a good general explanation also, and of how to choose/use the prefixes  'a-', 'em-', or 'ra-', 'rem-'. (As well as a caution on using 'prendre qqn')

1. Amener is to bring/take someone somewhere to leave them there, not staying with them - hence < Il m'amène les enfants samedi > he is bringing the children and leaving.

2. Emmener is to bring/take someone somewhere and to stay there with them - hence < Il m'emmène les enfants samedi > he is bringing the children and staying.

As Cecile and the links all note, 'misuse' occurs.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/vocabulary/to-take-to-bring/

https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-verb-conjugation/amener-emmener-apporter-emporter-remporter-bring-take-french/