-ER Grammar Rule?

Question

Hi, I'm Allyssa. Nice to meet you, I'm new here.

I just watched the Lesson 1 -- 4.1 video about basic -ER conjugations and I'm a tad confused on when to use the pronoun and when not to, so I'd like to confirm it with someone!

It depends on whether or not there is another pronoun with that same conjugation, right? If so, does that mean that the forms requiring a pronoun are ALWAYS going to require it and those forms that don't require it will NEVER require it (at least regarding -ER verbs)? I guess I'm asking if this "should I use the pronoun?" question varies depending on the verb, or if it's going to be the same regardless which -ER verb is being used. Basically, is it a rule that a person can simply memorize?

Well I hope that makes some sense... Thanks in advance!

Welcome! - BradyLabuda, Mar 3, 2012

Hello Allyssa and welcome to the forum. I am sure someone will be along soon to answer your question. :) - rac1, Mar 3, 2012

Thanks guys! (: - allyssa16, Mar 3, 2012

Answer 1

Hi Allyssa and welcome to the forum.

I think that the question you are asking is one that is hard for many of us Spanish learners. . In Spanish, the endings of the verb conjugations tell us the who the subject is so we don't need to use the subject pronouns. For example, (Yo) Como una fresa. In this sentence you know that I am eating a strawberry. You don't need to use the subject pronoun.

(Tú) Comes una fresa. Now, you are eating a strawberry. You don't need to use it here.

(Nosotros) Comemos manzanas. We are eating apples. You don't need the pronoun here, either.

( Vosotros) Coméis manzanas. You all are eating apples (Spain only) You don't need it here.

Now, the problem for me is when the verb endings are the same for different pronouns

Usted, él, ella, come una manzana. Unless you can tell by the context of the sentence, you may want to use the subject pronoun so you know who you are talking about.

Ustedes, ellos, ellas comen una manzana. Many times this is revealed by the context. I can only tell you that you should avoid unnecessary subject pronouns.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for-- one with specific examples! (: - allyssa16, Mar 4, 2012

Answer 2

Hi Allyssa, welcome to the fora . The conjugated verb gives you the information

that you need so that there is no need to use the pronoun , but it is a good idea to

keep using then until you are more comfortable in leaving them out. Here on the

posts we have tried to do without them , but there is no hard and fast rule , but

in saying that, the moderators may still prefer to keep them out so do not take my

word for it .

Thanks for the advice! It may be a good idea for me to keep the pronouns just for a short while until i get the hang of actually forming sentences. (: - allyssa16, Mar 4, 2012

Answer 3

Use the pronoun when you want to really emphasize the pronoun.

Yo leo el libro. (I read the book, not you).

Also if the context doesn't clarify if the subject is él, ella, or usted or ellos, ellas, or ustedes then you can add it for clarification, but for all the other pronouns, you can tell just by the verb conjugation so you don't need it, unless again you are really wanting to emphasize that it was that certain subject who is doing the action.

Great answer; this helped it sound quite simple! Thanks! (: - allyssa16, Mar 4, 2012