2.6: "Nosotros" Commands

Mandatos: nosotros

Spanish "nosotros" commands are the equivalent to the English "let's + verb". These commands are used to communicate what needs to be done by the speaker and other people.

Conjugaciones

There are two ways to give a command in "nosotros" form. The first option is to use "vamos a + verb". The second option is to use the present subjunctive conjugation in "nosotros" form. Remember, to conjugate in present subjunctive, start with the conjugation in present indicative of "yo", drop the ending "-o", and add the new ending. The new ending for verbs ending in "-ar" is "-emos" and the new ending for verbs ending in "-er" or "-ir" is "-amos".

Ejemplos

• Vamos a hablar con la profesora. (Let's talk to the professor.)
• Hablemos con la profesora. (Let's talk to the professor.)
• Vamos a comer. (Let's eat.)
• Comamos. (Let's eat.)

Práctica 1

Pronombres: mandatos afirmativos

Just as like with other command forms, when using reflexive, direct object, and indirect object pronouns with commands, affirmative and negative commands will follow different rules.

In affirmative commands, pronouns must always be attached to the end of the command. When attaching pronouns to the end of a command, an accent mark must be added on the "a" of the ending "-ámos" or the "e" of "-émos".

Remember, when using indirect and direct object pronouns in the same sentence, the indirect object pronoun must come before the direct object pronoun.

Ejemplos

• Escribámosles una carta a nuestros padres. (Let's write a letter to our parents.)
• Escribámosela. (Let's write it to them.)
• Vámonos. (Let's go.)
• Llevémosla. (Let's take her.)

Note that the first example uses "le" as the indirect object pronoun. However, in the second example "le" becomes "se" because it is combined with a direct object pronoun. When a "nosotros" command is followed by the pronoun "se", you must drop the "s" at the end of the command to avoid the use of "ss" in words. In Spanish, "ss" is not used in any word: escribamos + se + la = escribámosela.

Something else to note is that when conjugating reflexive verbs and the pronoun "nos" is attached to the command, the final "s" of the command must be dropped. For example, reflexive verb "irse" is conjugated as "vamos + nos", but when put these two words are together, the "s" is dropped: vámonos. This rule applies to all reflexive verbs.

Práctica 2

Pronombres: mandatos negativos

In negative commands, the pronouns must precede the command and follow the word "no". The order of the pronouns is the same as in affirmative commands, indirect object pronouns are placed before direct object pronouns, and there is no accent mark needed.

Ejemplos

• No les escribamos una carta a nuestros padres. (Let's not write a letter to our parents.)
• No se la escribamos. (Let's not write it to them.)
• No la llevemos. (Let's not take it.)
• No nos vayamos. (Le'ts not go.)

Note that the verb "ir" is conjugated differently in affirmative and negative form. The affirmative form of "ir" should not use the present subjunctive conjugation, just say "vamos" or use the reflexive form, "vámonos". In negative form, always use the present subjunctive form, "no vayamos" or "no nos vayamos" in the reflexive form.

Práctica 3