41 Personal pronouns Despite the name, personal pronouns can refer to persons, things or concepts. Some of the personal pronouns mark the direct or indirect object. They are bound to the verb and we call them, therefore, bound pronouns. Often these bound pronouns are placed just before the conjugated verb (see 41.6). Normally, the reflexive pronouns are as well bound to the verb. We include these in the group of bound personal pronouns. The unbound pronouns can be placed quite freely in the sentence. The unbound pronouns are either the subject forms or the prepositional forms. Usted/ustedes It is possible to mark politeness, respect or distance by using usted/ustedes. Usted/ustedes (cf. vous in French) must be recommended in case of any doubt. Usted, with the verb in the 3rd person singular, is used when talking to one person. When talking to a group, ustedes, with the verb in the 3rd person plural, is used. In Latin America, though, the 2nd person plural (vosotros/as) is replaced by ustedes. That means that ustedes, in Latin America, can be formal or informal. Overview Personal pronouns. For use: See 41.1- 41.6.
sing.
plur.
unbound
bound
S
after preposition
DO
1st person
yo
mí (conmigo)
me
2nd person
tú
ti (contigo)
te
3rd person
él, ella, ello, usted
(sí) lo (le), la
IO
le (se)
1st person
nosotros/as
nos
2nd person
vosotros/as
os
3rd person
ellos/as, ustedes
(sí)
los, las
les (se)
reflexive
se
se