verb before a personal pronoun (Usted)

Question

Whilst in Spain I was given some directions: "bajes la escalera y llega usted en el metro" Why is it 'llega usted'? I don't think you could say llegas tú....it would have to be tú llegas? Please help if you can

He's asking why does Usted come after the verb, not before - poko620, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 1

The thing here is the use of formal and informal personal pronouns in the second person. This is a feature that English lost a long time ago, but it's still alive and well in Spanish.

The pronoun "tú" is to be used in conversations with people of your same "rank" (same age, or coworkers, friends, school mates, etc). In English this was "thou" (Jesus saith unto him, THOU has said...)

The pronoun "Usted" is supposed to be used with people with "higher hierarchy" than you (like older people than you, teachers, your boss, etc). The current "you" is of this kind.

The problem is that the conjugation changes when you use "usted" instead of "tú" (like in English you have to use" thy", "art", "thine", etc. when using "thou").

When you use "Usted(es)" you change the conjugation, and you use the same ones than you would use for the third person. But it's still the second person, just happens to be the same.

• tú comes / él come / Usted come
• vosotros coméis / ellos comen / ustedes comen

The order of the pronouns and nouns isn't that important in Spanish. They can be changed to indicate a question, or for no real reason. Anyway, try to use the order that you learned, it'll be correct every time.

Thanks again Comunacho. You explain things very well! - 0095ca4c, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 2

If I am understanding, your question is not about conjugation, but the position of the pronoun after the verb; llega usted. You are used to seeing usted llega, which has the pronoun before the verb?

I've never asked this before, it's a good question. Hopefully another member will have an answer.