Citemos

Citemos is the first-person plural present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb citar, meaning to cite. It is used in subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood, often to express suggestion, doubt, necessity, or desire, and it can also function in a hortative sense meaning “let us ….”

Morphology and forms: Citar is a regular -ar verb. In the present subjunctive, the forms are: yo cite, tú cites, él/ella/usted cite, nosotros citemos, vosotros citéis, ellos/ustedes citen. Thus citemos corresponds to the nosotros form. This form contrasts with citamos (indicative present, “we cite”), and with cite or citen (subjunctive forms for other subjects).

Usage: Citemos commonly appears in academic, editorial, legal, and formal writing where a collective action is proposed or required. It often follows a subordinating phrase such as “Es necesario que…” or “Propongo que….” Examples include: “Es importante que citemos las fuentes primarias” and “Propongamos que citemos a los autores relevantes.” It can also appear in encouragement or instruction: “Citemos ejemplos relevantes en el informe.”

Relation to other forms: The simple present indicative form for “we cite” is citamos. Other present subjunctive forms include yo cite, tú cites, él/ella/usted cite, vosotros citéis, ellos/ustedes citen. Understanding citemos helps clarify sentences that express collective obligation, suggestion, or action in a hypothetical or desirable sense.

Etymology: Citar derives from Latin citare, meaning to summon or call forth, with the subjunctive forms developed in the Spanish verb system.