Spanish: An Essential Grammar

Subject pronouns

Subject pronouns of the 2nd person

Contemporary Spanish retains the singular forms tú, usted and vos[LA],

and the plural forms vosotros/as [SP] andustedes, to cover the multiple

meanings of English ‘you’. Ustedand ustedes (often abbreviated in writing

to Ud., Vd., Uds.or Vds.) are used both in Spain and Latin America to

signify a relationship that is formal, polite and respectful of the person to

whom they are addressed. Túand vosotros[SP], on the other hand, suggest

familiarity, friendship, and equal social standing. Vos [LA] replaces this use

in the singularin the River Plate region (especially in Argentina and

Uruguay), and in Central America (excluding most of Mexico). Pockets of

usage may also be found in the Andean countries. In addition, since

vosotros[SP] is no longer found in Latin America, its place has been taken

by ustedes [LA] to express familiarity and friendship. This also occurs in

the Canary Islands and the west of Andalusia.

Usted and ustedesalways take the 3rd person forms of the verb. For the

verb forms associated with vos, see Chapter 10 and also 30.2.1.

¿Vosotros estáis de acuerdo?[SP]

Are you in agreement?

¿No podés hablar vos con Carlos?[LA]

Can’t you talk to Carlos?

Pasen ustedes primero.(polite or familiar [LA], polite [SP])

Please go in first.

Since use of 2nd person subject pronouns can vary from region to region,

foreign users are advised to err on the side of caution, i.e. use polite forms,

until they have become familiar with regional practice.

Uses of subject pronouns

General uses

Subject pronouns in Spanish may be required for emphasis, to indicate a

change in reference, or for clarity (e.g. where verb forms are not person-

specific, as in yo/él quería‘I/he wanted’).

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8

Personal
pronouns

72