pongamos

/pohn-GAH-mohs/

let's put

A storybook illustration showing two children cooperating to place a bright red apple into a small wooden box, illustrating the action of 'let's put.'

When 'pongamos' means 'let's put,' it suggests a shared action of placing an object.

pongamos(verb)

A2irregular er

let's put

when suggesting an action

(that) we put/place/set

when expressing necessity or desire

Also:

let's turn on

for appliances or lights

let's start

when setting a time or date

📝 In Action

Pongamos la mesa antes de que lleguen los invitados.

Let's set the table before the guests arrive.

Es crucial que pongamos atención a los detalles.

It is crucial that we pay attention to the details.

No pongamos excusas y terminemos el trabajo.

Let's not make excuses and let's finish the work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

coloquemos (let's place)
sugiramos (let's suggest (in context of 'let's suppose'))

Common Collocations

Pongamos atención – Let's pay attention
Pongamos fin a esto – Let's put an end to this

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Let's' Form

In Spanish, the 'nosotros' (we) form of the affirmative command ('Let's...') is identical to the present subjunctive form. So, 'Pongamos' means 'Let's put/place.'

Subjunctive Trigger

When used after expressions of necessity, desire, or influence (like 'queremos que' or 'es importante que'), 'pongamos' is the required verb form for 'we put/place.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Indicative for Commands

Mistake: "Usar 'ponemos' para decir 'Let's put.'"

Correction: Always use 'pongamos' (the subjunctive form) for 'Let's...' commands and suggestions. 'Ponemos' just means 'We put' (a fact).

⭐ Usage Tips

Irregularity Alert

Remember that 'poner' is irregular. The 'g' sound in 'pongamos' is a key feature of its conjugation, related to the irregular 'yo' form: 'pongo'.

A storybook illustration of a woman sitting on a hill, looking up at a thought bubble above her head. Inside the bubble is a fantastical image of a purple pig with tiny wings flying, representing a hypothetical situation.

As a fixed expression, 'pongamos' means 'let's suppose' or 'let's imagine a hypothetical situation.'

pongamos(fixed expression)

let's suppose

introducing a hypothetical situation

let's imagine

introducing a hypothetical situation

Also:

for example

used formally

📝 In Action

Pongamos que tienes un millón de dólares, ¿qué harías?

Let's suppose you have a million dollars, what would you do?

Pongamos por caso que la reunión se cancela. ¿Cuál es el plan B?

Let's imagine, for argument's sake, that the meeting is canceled. What is Plan B?

💡 Grammar Points

Introducing Hypotheses

The phrase 'Pongamos que...' is a quick way to introduce a hypothetical scenario. It's often followed by a verb in the present tense or a conditional structure.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

While common, this expression is slightly more formal than simply saying 'Imagina que...' (Imagine that...).

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

preterite

él/ella/ustedpuso

ellos/ellas/ustedespusieron

vosotrospusisteis

nosotrospusimos

yopuse

túpusiste

present

él/ella/ustedpone

ellos/ellas/ustedesponen

vosotrosponéis

nosotrosponemos

yopongo

túpones

imperfect

él/ella/ustedponía

ellos/ellas/ustedesponían

vosotrosponíais

nosotrosponíamos

yoponía

túponías

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedponga

ellos/ellas/ustedespongan

vosotrospongáis

nosotrospongamos

yoponga

túpongas

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpusiera/pusiese

ellos/ellas/ustedespusieran/pusiesen

vosotrospusierais/pusieseis

nosotrospusiéramos/pusiésemos

yopusiera/pusiese

túpusieras/pusieses

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pongamos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pongamos' as a command or suggestion?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poner(to put/place) - verb

puesto(position/job) - noun

posición(position/placement) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'pongamos' have a 'g' if the infinitive is 'poner'?

Poner is an irregular verb. The 'g' sound appears in the first person singular ('yo pongo') and carries over into the entire present subjunctive form (ponga, pongas, pongamos, etc.). This makes it a 'go-verb' in Spanish.

Is 'pongamos' a command or a statement of uncertainty?

It can be both! The 'nosotros' (we) form of the command ('Let's...') is exactly the same as the 'nosotros' form of the present subjunctive (used for uncertainty, wishes, or necessity). The context tells you which meaning is intended.