|
Lesson |
|
|
11. WHAT ISA SUBJECT PRONOUN?
A subject pronoun is a pronoun used as a subject of a verb. He worked while she read. QUESTION: Who worked? ANSWER: He.
He is the subject of the verb worked. QUE5TI0N:Who read? ANSWER: She.
She is the subject of the verb read.
Subject pronouns are divided into the following categories: the person speaking (the first person), the person spoken to (the second person), and the person spoken about (the third person). These categories are further divided into singular and plural.
1st person the person speaking plus others
John and I speak Spanish.
we
2nd person the persons spoken to
Anita and you speak Spanish. III
you
3rd person the persons or objects spoken about
John and Anita speak Spanish.
they ENGLISH SPANISH I yo you Hi he él she ella it (you) usted’ j nosotros we nosotras { vosotros you vosotras ellos they 1. ellas (you) ustedes1
‘Ustedlustedes are logically 2nd person pronouns since they refer to the person spoken to. However, most Spanish textbooks group usted/ustedes with 3rd person pronouns since they take 3rd person verb endings. we have followed that pattern for ease of identification. singular 1st person the person speaking
2nd person the person spoken to 3rd person r the person or object spoken about j
plural
The English subject pronouns do not always correspond exactly to the Spanish subject pronouns. Let us look at the pronouns that are dif- ferent so you can learn to choose the correct form. ~sITll
IN ENGLISH Whenever you refer to the one thing or idea, you use the pronoun it. Where is the book? It is on the table. John has an idea. It is very interesting.
IN SPANISH The subject pronoun it is not generally expressed. The verb ending indicates a third person singular; “it” is simply understood especially when the verb refers to a thing or an idea.
~DOnde está el libro? Esth sobre la mesa. It is understod as part of the verb esti since it refers to a thing. Where is the book? It is on the table.
Juan tiene una idea. Es muy interesante. It is understood as part of the verb es since it refers to an idea. John has an idea. It is very interesting.
“WE” —> NOSOTROS, NOSOTRAS IN ENGLISH The word we refers to the person speaking plus others. John and I are going to the movies.
We are leaving at 7:00.
IN SPANISH There are two forms: nosottqs and nosotras. Nosotros is used when “we~~ includes all males or a mixed group of males and females. Noso- tras is used when the “we” includes only females.
Juan y yo vamos al cine. Nosotros salimos a las 7. I I rnasc. rnasc. or fern. rnasc. subject L.antecedents ~I pronoun John and I are going to the movies. We are leaving at 7:00.
Maria y yo vamos al cine. Nosotras salimos a las 7. fern. fern. fern. subject Lantecedentsi pronoun
Mary and I are going to the movies. We are leaving at 7:00. “THEY” -4 ELLOS, ELLAS IN ENGLISH Whenever you refer to more than one person or object, you use the plural pronoun they. My brothers play tennis. They practice every day. My sisters play soccer. They practice every day. Where are the books? They are on the table.
IN SPANISH There are two forms: ellos and ellas. Ellos is Used when “they” refers to all males or a mixed group of males and females. Ellas is used when “they” refers to all females.
Mis hermanos juegan al tenis. Ellos practican todos los dias. rnasc. p1. masc. p1. antecedent subject pronoun My brothers play tennis. They practice every day.
Mis hermanas juegan al fütbol. Ellas practican todos los dias. fern. p1. fern. p1. antecedent subject pronoun
My sisters play soccer They practice every day.
The subject pronoun “they” is not generally expressed when “they” refers to something other than people. The verb ending indicates a third person plural; “they” is simply understood.
tDónde estdn los libros? Están sobre la mesa. They is understood as part of the verb estIn since they refers to things. Where are the books? They are on the table.
“You” —* TU, USTED, VOSOTROS, VOSOTRAS, USTEDES
As you can see there are several words for “you” in Spanish. Tü and vosotros/vosotras are called familiar you. Usted and ustedes are called formal you. To help you learn how to choose the correct form of you in Spanish an entire section has been devoted to What is Meant by Familiar and Formal “You”?, see p. 34. |
|
