1. Subject Pronouns in Spanish
Los pronombres
By Jami Sipe
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

2. He reads a book. She writes a poem. They play tennis.
Pronoun: a word that takes the place of a noun.
Examples:
He reads a book.
She writes a poem.
They play tennis.
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

3. We are in the Spanish class. He talks with the teacher.
Subject Pronoun: a pronoun that is used as the subject of a sentence, such as “I,” “he” or “we” in English.
Examples:
I study Spanish.
We are in the Spanish class.
He talks with the teacher.
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

4. Los pronombres singulares = singular pronouns
yo = I
tú = you (informal)
usted = you (formal)
él = he
ella = she
Students take notes from slide 4 to 11.
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

5. Los pronombres plurales = plural pronouns
nosotros/as = we
Use nosotros when referring to “we,” a group of males, or males and females, and nosotras for a group of females.
vosotros/as = you all (informal, used in Spain)
Use vosotros when referring to “you all,” a group of males, or males and females, and vosotras for a group of females.
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

6. Más pronombres plurales
ustedes = you all
(formal in Spain, informal and formal in
Latin America. Used to talk to you in pl.)
ellos = they
(a group of males, or males and females)
ellas = they
(a group of females)
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

7. There are 4 ways to say “you” in Spanish, but … they can NOT be used interchangeably:1
Tú is singular – informal and is used when speaking to a friend, a family member or someone your age or younger.
Usted is singular – formal and is used when you are speaking to a stranger, someone older or someone that deserves respect. 2
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

8. 4 Ways to Say “You” (cont’d) …3
Vosotros/as is plural – familiar and
only used in Spain and in literature.
Ustedes is plural – formal in Spain,
and informal or formal in Latin America. 4
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

9. ellos and ellas vs. ustedes1
Ellos/as is plural – is used when you are talking about a group of people as in “they”
Ustedes is plural – is used when you are talking to a group of people as in “you” 2
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

10. ellos and ellas vs. ustedes
Examples: 1
Ellos son Julia y Ramón. Talking about them. Third person plural.
Ustedes son Julia y Ramón. Talking to them. Second person plural. 2
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11. Pronombres = Pronouns Singular Plural yo tú usted él, ella nosotros/as
vosotros/as
ustedes
ellos/as
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12. Check Your Knowledge! yo I tú you – informal usted you – formal él he
ella
nosotros/as
vosotros/as
ustedes
ellos
ellas I
you – informal
you – formal he
she we
you all – informal (Spain)
you all – formal / informal
they (males - or males and females)
they – a group of females
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

13. Check Your Knowledge! El presidente Usted El Sr. López Un amigo Tú
Which subject pronoun would you use if
you were speaking to the following people:
tú, usted, or ustedes?
El presidente
El Sr. López
Un amigo
Los maestros
Usted Tú
Ustedes
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

14. What subject pronoun would you use if you wanted to speak about …
Check Your Knowledge!
What subject pronoun would you use
if you wanted to speak about …
José
Ana
José y Juan
Ana y María
Ana y Juan Él
Ella
Ellos
Ellas
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

15. What subject pronoun would you use if you wanted to speak to…
Check Your Knowledge!
What subject pronoun would you use
if you wanted to speak to…
José y yo
Ana, Paula y yo
(femenino)
Un grupo de personas
Nosotros
Nosotras
Ustedes
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

16. Quick Grammar Lessons! Credits ©2010 Teacher’s Discovery
Written by: Jami Sipe
Additional Information by:
Suzanne Rutkowski
Adriana Miretti
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©2010 Teacher’s Discovery