Let me think

Question

I was looking for some information about imperatives. And then, I find the next information:

Para la 3ª persona tanto para el plural como para el singular, se emplea let. Ejemplos:

Let him come!

Let them go!

Then, what about "let me think"?.

Answer 1

¡Hola! / Hello, Nila:

If you look at the fully conjugated verb to let. there is only one other option in the imperative, which is "let's" (where "let's" is an abbreviation of the two words "let us") and it is for the 1st person plural. "Let" is an alternative in the 1st person plural All that is left is 2nd sing. and 2nd pl. where let is the proper conjugation.

If the persons are:

1st   Singular-> I.................... 1st  Plural -> We

2nd  Singular-> You ...............2nd  Plural -> you (all)

3rd   Singular -> He/she/it ...... 3rd  Plural -> They

Then, there will be no imperative for the 1st pers. sing. nor for the 3rd pers. sing nor for the 3rd pers. plural. It seems to me the imperative may only be used for persons present other than yourself. You don't order either yourself (1st sing.) or absent persons (3rd sing. and 3rd pl.)

In the expression "Let me think" there are some words that are implicit but unspoken. If fully spoken, it would be, "You (or all of you); let me think". The imperative or command is directed to at a 2nd person singular or some 2nd person plurals.

Hummm. You have used the conjugator. A good idea indeed. - nila45, Oct 12, 2009

Answer 2

In the expression "Let me think" there are some words that are implicit but unspoken. If fully spoken, it would be, "You (or all of you); let me think". The imperative or command is directed to at a 2nd person singular or some 2nd person plurals.

Think, for example, about: let me study. (1º person)

Mummy, please, let us go to the party. (1º person)

Let it go (3º person)

Let them go (3º person)

But also, when we use "let us" in "mummy, let us go to the party", here let us is not the same as "let's".

The negative sentence would be:

Please, don't let us drink so much. (The example in negative with the other sentence would sound strange).

Don't let me drink so much.

But, the negative sentence of "let's go to the park" would be "let's not go to the park".

Is everything all right?

Let is in the 2nd person in all of your examples except the last one. - lorenzo9, Oct 14, 2009

Answer 3

Nila’s comments about “let’s” and “let us” are correct.

 

Earlier, Moe said Let’s = Let us = Let’s and Nila is pointing out that this is not always the case. I agree with her.

 

Where a speaker says, for example, “Let’s go to the party” and means that both the speaker and the listener (with or without others) should go to the party, then, “Let us go to the party” has the same meaning.

However, “Let us go to the party” is not the common way to express it.

 

Where the speaker says “Please let us go to the party” and is referring to a group that does not include the listener (in Nila’s example, Mama is not being asked to attend), the sentence cannot also be said as “Let’s go to the party.”

In the phrase, “Let us go” there is a request and in the phrase “Let’s go” there is a (soft) command.

 

For these reasons, I agree with Nila.

Answer 4

“When we use "let us" in "mummy, let us go to the party", here let us is not the same as "let's".“. Incorrect! Let’s = Let us = Let’s.

Well, perhaps we use let's sometimes and let us in other occassions to disguinguish one from another.

We can say "let's go to the party" and also "let us go to the party" (vayamos a la fiesta)

And we can say: mother, please, let us go to the party. (Mamá, por favor, déjanos ir a la fiesta). In this case, we cannot say "let's" because it has a different meaning. It would have the same meaning as the first examples.

Then, it is true that "let us" and "let's" can be used with the same meaning. But, if the context changes, it is possible that "let us" isn't interchangeable with "let's".

Answer 5

Here is what Wikepedia” has to say about the imperative in English Imperative Mood :

•The imperative mood is used for commands or instructions. It is not always considered a verbal mood per se. Using the verb in its simplest, unconjugated form, forms it: "Listen! Sit! Eat!" The imperative mood in English occurs only in the second person, and the subject ("you") is generally not expressly stated, because it is implied. When the speaker gives a command regarding anyone else, it is still directed at the second person as though it were a request for permission, although it may be a rhetorical statement.

At another place, Other Imp. Mood “Wikipedia” also states that in addition to the second-person imperative form shown above, there is also a first-person plural (we) imperative form. This form is similar to the second-person imperative form, except that it is conjugated in the first-person plural. It is usually translated into English as let's (short for let us).

1. Let me do the talking.

2. Come here.

3. Give him an allowance.

4. Let sleeping dogs lie.

 

Keep these things in mind from Wiki’s definitions:

• The subject, “you”, is generally not expressed because it is implied

• In the first person plural, “let’s” means “let us”.

 

If those are the facts and rules, then we can look at Nila’s examples:

• “Let me study” cannot be 1st person because it is not directed at “I” or “We”

• “Let us go to the party” is 1st person plural “We” the speaker + mother. This could also be expressed as “Let’s go…”

• “Let it go” This cannot be 3rd person. Remember “You” is implied so the statement is “You; let it go” “You” is 2nd person.

• “Let them go.” This cannot be 3rd person. Remember “You” is implied so the statement is “You; let them go” “You” is 2nd person.

• “When we use "let us" in "mummy, let us go to the party", here let us is not the same as "let's".“. Incorrect! Let’s = Let us = Let’s.

• “Please, don't let us drink so much.” Correct 2nd pers. sing. example. Another way to say this is "You;do not let us drink so much" where the direction is to "you". However if said as “Please, let’s not drink so much”, it is a 1st pers. plural example. The 1st pers. pl. could also be said as "Let us not drink so much" because the direction is to "we", the group of which the speaker is a member.

• Don't let me drink so much. This example is correct

• “The negative sentence of "let's go to the park" would be "let's not go to the park". Correct

 

I always worry that I’ve written something that indicates I am confused or in conflict with myself. I hope you have understood all this.

Best Regards/Recuerdos

Moe,

It is OK for me. - nila45, Oct 14, 2009

Answer 6

Yes, I agree with you. Now I was thinking about what you said. I see...

"Let" is a command directed to a 2ª person (plural or singular). With this, you are stating that "let me think" is possible.

Let me think (déjame pensar). The order is directed to you in all the cases.

Nila (Ist Pers. Sing.) always utters or issues the imperative/command. It is directed at a 2nd person singular or plural or a group (1st pers pl.) of which Nila is member. The order is directed BY Nila and away from Nila in all cases. - Moe, Oct 12, 2009

It is clear it is like this. It is my order towards another person. - nila45, Oct 12, 2009

Also, this order can be directed to other people who are in my group. (2º person-plural) - nila45, Oct 12, 2009

Hnmm. So is the poet wrong when he says "Be still my heart"? or Jesus when he commanded the waters to be still? or if I tell my dog to rollover? - 0074b507, Oct 13, 2009

Q-In order to make the imperative work, remember that in "heart" and "waters" example, those objects were addressed as if they had 2nd person singular life. And the dog as though it were an individual. - Moe, Oct 13, 2009

You, heart, be still. You, waters, be parted. You, dog, roll over. - Moe, Oct 13, 2009

Answer 7

Let us think.