detenernos

Detenernos is a Spanish verb form that combines the verb detener with the reflexive pronoun nos. It expresses stopping or delaying in relation to the subject, and can mean “to stop ourselves” or “to detain us” depending on context. The infinitive detener can take the reflexive pronoun to indicate that the action affects the subject or involves a group including the speaker.

Grammatical notes: detenernos is the non-finite infinitive form with a clitic pronoun. It is used after prepositions and in constructions that require an infinitive. The finite forms are formed like detener, but with the appropriate nos pronoun: nos detenemos (we stop ourselves), nos detendremos (we will stop ourselves), detengámonos (let us stop), no nos detengamos (let us not stop). The pronoun can also appear in phrases with other verbs, as in intentar detenernos (“to try to detain us”).

Meanings and usage: deteniendo refers to stopping movement or progress, either physically or temporally, and can also be used in contexts of arrest or detention when the subject is the recipient of the action in passive or active voice. Common examples include pauses during travel, schedules, or reflection, as well as legal or police contexts where others may attempt to detain us.

Etymology: detenernos derives from detener, which comes from Latin detinēre, formed by de- + tenēre, with the reflexive nos indicating action directed at or involving the speaker and/or their group.

See also: detener, detención, pausa, pararse. The reflexive form is a standard feature of Spanish verbal morphology and appears with many verbs to express self-directed or mutual action.

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