Use ustedes when you’re talking to two or more people, then match it with third-person plural verbs.
Ustedes is the Spanish “you” for a group. It’s used across Latin America in daily speech and writing, and it’s also the go-to in many classrooms because it stays consistent. Once you get the verb match right, the rest feels easy.
This page shows how to write and say ustedes in real sentences, what verb forms to pair with it, and how it differs from vosotros. You’ll get patterns you can copy, plus a set of sentence models you can tweak for your own work.
What Ustedes Means And When People Use It
Ustedes means “you all,” “you guys,” or “you” (plural). It points to a group you’re speaking to, not a group that includes you. In most of Latin America, ustedes is used for both casual and formal situations.
In Spain, many speakers use vosotros for casual “you all” and ustedes for formal “you all.” That split matters if you’re writing for a Spain-only audience. If your goal is broadly understood Spanish, ustedes works in every country.
Meaning Check
- Ustedes = you (plural), directed at a group
- Often paired with names or nouns: ustedes, chicos; ustedes, señoras
- Usually optional in Spanish since the verb ending already signals the subject
How Ustedes Works With Verbs
Here’s the part that decides whether your sentence sounds right. Ustedes uses the same verb forms as “they” (ellos/ellas). That means third-person plural endings, not second-person plural endings.
If you can conjugate for ellos, you can conjugate for ustedes. Treat it as the same verb slot, then add context that makes it clear you’re talking to “you all,” not “they.”
Does Ustedes Include The Speaker
Ustedes points outward to the people you’re speaking to. If you want “we,” use nosotros or nosotras. That difference matters in group plans.
- Ustedes van al cine, y nosotros vamos al café.
- Ustedes hacen la tarea hoy, y yo la hago mañana.
Present Tense Pattern
Use ustedes + third-person plural present tense.
- Ustedes hablan mucho. (You all talk a lot.)
- Ustedes comen temprano. (You all eat early.)
- Ustedes viven aquí. (You all live here.)
Subject Pronoun Drop
Spanish often drops the subject pronoun. The verb ending can carry the meaning by itself.
- Hablan muy rápido. (You all speak fast.)
- Comen temprano hoy. (You all eat early today.)
Use ustedes when you want clarity, contrast, or extra emphasis, especially in writing or in longer sentences.
Ustedes’ in a Sentence
People search for “Ustedes’ in a Sentence” when they want a clean model they can copy into homework, a message, or a short paragraph. Below are sentence shapes that fit common school topics: class routines, travel, friends, family, and plans.
Each model keeps the verb in third-person plural. Swap in your own nouns, time words, and places, and you’ll keep the grammar solid.
Sentence Models You Can Copy
- Ustedes estudian para el examen esta tarde.
- Ustedes trabajan en equipo en la clase de ciencias.
- Ustedes van al museo el sábado.
- Ustedes tienen una pregunta sobre la tarea.
- Ustedes quieren jugar después de la escuela.
- Ustedes pueden entrar por esta puerta.
- Ustedes deben entregar el proyecto mañana.
Notice how the meaning stays “you all,” while the verb endings match ellos. In context, it’s clear you’re speaking to the group.
If you’re writing a paragraph, mix one statement, one question, and one command. That keeps the grammar varied and gives you more chances to show the verb endings. Keep the subject clear, then let the verbs still do the work.
Using Ustedes In Sentences With A Clear Modifier
Sometimes you want to be specific about which group you mean. Add a short modifier right after ustedes, separated by a comma, or connect it with a phrase that names the group.
Modifier Patterns That Read Smoothly
- Ustedes, estudiantes, tienen acceso a la biblioteca.
- Ustedes, mis amigos, siempre llegan a tiempo.
- Ustedes de mi clase van a presentar hoy.
- Ustedes en la fila pasan primero.
This trick helps when you’re writing directions, giving classroom instructions, or addressing two groups at once.
Two-Group Contrast
When you contrast groups, ustedes becomes extra useful.
- Ustedes hacen la primera parte, y ellos hacen la segunda.
- Ustedes leen el texto, y ellas responden las preguntas.
Common Verb Matches For Ustedes
If you’re building sentences quickly, it helps to keep a short bank of high-use verbs. Start with these because they show up in school writing and everyday Spanish.
High-Use Verbs In The Present
- ser: ustedes son
- estar: ustedes están
- tener: ustedes tienen
- ir: ustedes van
- hacer: ustedes hacen
- decir: ustedes dicen
- poder: ustedes pueden
- querer: ustedes quieren
When you memorize these pairs, you can write many sentences without stopping to conjugate from scratch.
Table Of Ustedes Verb Endings Across Tenses
Use this table as a quick check for the third-person plural endings that pair with ustedes. The goal is pattern recognition, not memorizing lists of every verb.
| Tense | -ar Ending | -er/-ir Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Present | -an | -en |
| Preterite | -aron | -ieron / -eron |
| Imperfect | -aban | -ían |
| Future | -arán | -erán / -irán |
| Conditional | -arían | -erían / -irían |
| Present Subjunctive | -en | -an |
| Imperative (Command) | Use Subjunctive | Use Subjunctive |
| Present Progressive | están + -ando | están + -iendo |
More Ustedes Sentence Patterns By Tense
Once you know the verb slot, you can write across tenses without changing the subject rule. The sentences below show the same idea in different time frames, so you can copy the pattern and swap the verb.
Past Actions
- Ustedes llegaron temprano a la reunión.
- Ustedes estudiaron anoche para la prueba.
- Ustedes leyeron el capítulo en casa.
Ongoing Actions
- Ustedes están leyendo en silencio.
- Ustedes están haciendo la actividad ahora.
Future Plans
- Ustedes van a viajar en junio.
- Ustedes harán una presentación mañana.
How To Make Commands With Ustedes
Commands with ustedes use the present subjunctive forms. In practice, you can think of them as “Let you all…” commands. They’re common in class rules, directions, and announcements.
Affirmative Commands
- Hablen más despacio. (Speak more slowly.)
- Coman en la mesa. (Eat at the table.)
- Escriban sus nombres. (Write your names.)
- Vayan a sus asientos. (Go to your seats.)
Negative Commands
Negative commands also use the present subjunctive, with no in front.
- No hablen durante la prueba.
- No coman en el laboratorio.
- No vayan sin permiso.
If you’re unsure, test it with this swap: replace ustedes with ellos. If the verb still looks right, you’re on the right track.
Table Of Ready-To-Use Ustedes Sentence Starters
These starters help you write fuller sentences fast. Add your own time word, place, or reason to finish each idea.
| Starter | What It Fits | Simple Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Ustedes pueden… | Permission | …usar el diccionario. |
| Ustedes deben… | Rules | …traer el cuaderno. |
| Ustedes van a… | Plans | …presentar hoy. |
| Ustedes necesitan… | Needs | …más tiempo. |
| Ustedes prefieren… | Choices | …trabajar en parejas. |
| Ustedes tienen que… | Obligations | …leer el capítulo. |
| Ustedes están… | Status | …listos para salir. |
| Ustedes saben… | Knowledge | …la respuesta. |
Ustedes Versus Vosotros
Ustedes and vosotros both mean “you all,” yet they live in different regional habits. If you’re learning Spanish for travel, conversation, or general writing, ustedes works in more places.
If your class uses Spain-focused materials, you’ll see vosotros forms like habláis and coméis. Those are second-person plural forms, and they do not pair with ustedes. Mixing them is a common early mistake.
Fast Contrast
- Ustedes hablan (Latin America; also formal Spain)
- Vosotros habláis (Spain, casual)
Apostrophe And Formatting Notes
The Spanish word is written ustedes with no apostrophe. If you see an apostrophe in an English heading, it’s part of the English phrase, not Spanish spelling.
In Spanish sentences, keep the word lowercase unless it starts the sentence. In titles, you might see it capitalized by style rules. Both are fine as long as the verb form stays third-person plural.
When you write dialogue, you can place ustedes after a comma to show you’re speaking to the group: Ustedes, escuchen. In regular statements, the comma is optional and depends on rhythm and clarity.
Common Mistakes And Clean Fixes
Most errors with ustedes come from verb mismatch or mixed regional forms. Fixing them is usually a one-word change.
Mixing Ustedes With Vosotros Verbs
- Wrong: Ustedes habláis
- Right: Ustedes hablan
Using The Wrong Object Pronoun
In many regions, ustedes is followed by los or las when it acts as an object, since it lines up with third-person plural grammar.
- Los veo a ustedes. (I see you all.)
- Quiero ayudarles a ustedes. (I want to help you all.)
Forgetting Agreement In Longer Sentences
Longer sentences can distract you from the verb ending. One fix is to circle the verb in your draft and check that it ends in a third-person plural form.
- Ustedes, cuando terminan, guardan sus cosas.
- Cuando ustedes llegan, todos se callan.
Questions And Short Replies With Ustedes
Questions with ustedes work the same way: third-person plural verbs, plus the question marks. In speech, your tone does the work. In writing, Spanish uses the opening and closing marks.
- ¿Ustedes entienden la explicación?
- ¿Ustedes quieren otra actividad?
- ¿Dónde están ustedes ahora?
Short replies can drop the pronoun and keep the verb. That’s common in class and in messages.
- Sí, entendemos.
- No, no queremos.
- Estamos listos.
If you want a polite tone in a request, pair a command with a softener like por favor, or use a question form: ¿Pueden pasar, por favor?
Practice Set You Can Write In One Sitting
Try these as short writing prompts. Write one sentence for each line, then read it out loud. If the verb feels like “they,” you’re matching ustedes correctly.
- Tell a group of classmates what they do after school.
- Give a group of friends a simple rule for a game.
- Ask a group of visitors to wait.
- Describe what a group plans to do this weekend.
- Write a polite instruction to a group at an event.
When you finish, rewrite two of your sentences without the pronoun. Keep the same verb endings. If the meaning stays clear, you’re using natural Spanish style.