Je#________
Nombre _________________
Before we talk about Subject Pronouns, let’s talk about verbs…they kind of need each other. You can’t discuss an
action (verb) unless you know how it works with subject pronouns…otherwise you sound like Tarzan…
I.
VERBS

A verb is an action word.



Run
Sit
Eat



 The main form of a verb is called the infinitive. In English, infinitives include the word “to”.
To run
To sit
To eat




I run , you run, he/she runs, we run, you all run.
I sit, you sit, he/she sits, we sit, you all sit.
I eat, you eat, he/she eats, we eat, you all eat.

II.
The infinitive is the pure form of a verb. The infinitive is what we found in the dictionary. The
infinitive is like a lump of clay that can be molded to match the subject of the sentence it is used in:
The above forms are called conjugations of the infinitive to run, to sit or to eat. A conjugation is when
we break down the verb so it agrees with the subject.
SUBJECT PRONOUNS
 Subject Pronouns are words used to replace a proper noun or a noun.
For example, instead of saying Diana is my friend. You might say “She is my friend”.
“She” is a subject pronoun because it replaces Diana.
 There are ten Spanish subject pronouns.
 In English, you have the subject pronoun “it”. In Spanish there is NO subject pronoun for it.
 In Standard English, the same word is used for both the singular you and the plural you. That is, each
of the following is correct.
You have a flat tire, ma’am.
You (kids) have football practice at three.
---In the first sentence, “you” refers to the singular ma’ am. In the second sentence, “you” refers to the
plural kids. To avoid confusion between you (singular) and you (plural), we will employ the nonstandard English usage “all you guys” or “y’all” to indicate you (plural).
Person
1

Spanish also has a familiar and a formal way to express the singular you. Tú is familiar and used with
friends, coworkers, relatives, or when addressing a child. Usted (Ud.) is more formal The formal is
used with people who are older, provide a service, or in a position of authority. It is generally used to
express respect.

In many ways, Spanish is more gender-specific than English. We find evidence in this in the subject
pronouns. First, look, at the word “nosotros”. This means “we” in the sense of a group that has at least
one male or is all male. If the group contains only females, the word “nosotras” is used. The same
applies to the word “they”.
SINGULAR
I= yo
PLURAL
2
You (familiar/singular)=tú
We (mixed or masculine)= nosotros
We (feminine) = nosotras
x
3
He=él
She= ella
You (formal/ singular)= usted
They (mixed or masculine)= ellos
They (feminine) = ellas
All you guys ( you plural) = ustedes
Person
1
3
JE #________
Nombre_______________________
Tú or Usted [Ud.]
Tell me if you would use Tú or Ud. when addressing these individuals directly.
1. Your best friend
______________
2. A judge
______________
3. A flight attendant
______________
4. Your teenage brother
______________
5. Your soccer teammate
______________
6. Your coach/teacher
______________
7. A gardener who works for you
______________
8. Your mother
______________
9. Your grandfather
______________
10. A clergy member (someone from the church, synagogue or mosque)
______________
11. Your girlfriend/boyfriend
______________
12. Your counselor
______________
13. Your dad
______________
14. A discipline tech
______________
15. The maid at the Hilton
______________
16. the kid next to you
______________
17. Your Spanish Teacher
______________
18. Your future father-in-law
______________
19. Your little cousin
______________
20. Your parole officer
______________