Pronouns, but why?

[Jackson]

I am having difficulty understanding why sometimes pronouns are necessary in conjunction with verbs, and sometimes not. I know that typically a conjugated verb does not need a pronoun coupled with it, but why do I keep finding them in sentences like these?

Yo bebo agua, y tu bebes leche.

and

Yo hablo español, y usted habla inglés.

Shouldn't it just be "Bebo agua, y bebes leche" without the pronouns?

:confused:


Yours,
Jackson

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Pronouns can be either used or not; it is only a matter of style.

Some times, like in your examples, they're used to emphasize a difference of preferences/capabilities between two individuals.

[Jackson]

¡Gracias! It is similar to French in that regard. I don't think I will ever use pronouns if I can help it - it is one of the coolest parts of romance languages that you don't need to!

[Tomisimo]

The pronouns are not required. As Angelica mentioned, using them can be a matter of style, emphasis, or disambiguation.

Style:

No creo que vaya a llover - No creo yo que vaya a llover

Emphasis:

Adding the pronoun in Spanish is a good way to emphasis who is doing the action. In English we often accomplish the same thing with a spoken stress or emphasis on the pronoun.

I'm going to the store --and-- I'm (spoken emphasis) going to the store (not someone else)
Voy a la tienda --and-- Yo voy a la tienda (this accomplishes the same emphasis, but note that you don't have to add a spoken emphasis on the word "yo"-- its presence adds the emphasis)

Disambiguation:

Sometimes adding the pronoun helps disambiguate a sentence so that you know who you're talking about.

Va a la tienda (¿ella?, ¿el?, ¿usted?, ¿quién?)
Ella va a la tienda

Hope that helps :)

[literacola]

They sound like they add to the two sentences you have given, as the two (you and I) are being compared.

Like David said,

I drink water, and you drink milk.

[chileno]

They sound like they add to the two sentences you have given, as the two (you and I) are being compared.

Like David said,

I drink water, and you drink milk.

Consider this too:

Bebo agua, bebe leche.

How would you take it? :-)

[CrOtALiTo]

The pronunciation correct is I drink water and you drink milk (Bebo agua, tu bebes leche). But it considering the possibility of that also you can use this choice in your translate. At least in my country is a usage very common. It mostly is used in the interior of the Mexican republic. (Tomo agua. Tu tomas leche).


I hope you can understand me.

If you have doubts above. Please you feeling free to ask me.

[chileno]

The pronunciation correct is I drink water and you drink milk (Bebo agua, tu bebes leche). But it considering the possibility of that also you can use this choice in your translate. At least in my country is a usage very common. It mostly is used in the interior of the Mexican republic. (Tomo agua. Tu tomas leche).


I hope you can understand me.

If you have doubts above. Please you feeling free to ask me.

And if it is an order?

[CrOtALiTo]

I will answer your question above.

[CrOtALiTo]

Well. Then I guess that you can use the word You take water ( Toma agua). Here ofter I'm applying a command.

If you wanna be explicit with a order in anything I suggest that you use the word Tomar ( To take).

[chileno]

Well. Then I guess that you can use the word You take water ( Toma agua). Here ofter I'm applying a command.

If you wanna be explicit with a order in anything I suggest that you use the word Tomar ( To take).


Ah, ok. Gracias! :-)

[CrOtALiTo]

You're welcome.