pongan

Pongan is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb poner. It functions as the present-subjunctive third-person plural form (ellos/ellas/ustedes) and as the affirmative imperative form for ustedes, used to give a command to a group.

In Spanish grammar, the present subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, necessity, or possibility, often following the conjunction que. Therefore, pongan appears in sentences such as “Espero que pongan atención” (I hope they pay attention). As an imperative, “Pongan la mesa” means “Set the table,” directed to a group.

Etymology and form: poner comes from Latin ponere. The present-subjunctive forms include ponga, pongas, ponga, pongamos, pongáis, pongan; the same form pongan is also the ustedes imperative. Related forms include pongo (yo), pones (tú), pone (él/ella/usted), ponemos (nosotros), ponéis (vosotros), ponen (ellos/ellas/ustedes).

Usage notes: pongan is common in Latin American and also many Spanish-speaking regions for direct address to multiple people. It may occur in formal or polite contexts when giving instructions or requests to a group, especially in written or formal speech.

See also: Spanish verb conjugation, poner, subjunctive mood, imperative mood.