A concise and simplified grammar of the Spanish language

42 ETYMOLOGY AND SYNTAX.
plural. listed is an abbreviation of Vuestra Merced,
which, strictly speaking, has no equivalent meaning in
English ; but it is a term of nearly the same import as
your grace, or your honour. In writing, Usted is thus
contracted, Vrnd., or thus, vvid. Some write it thus, Vm. ;
others Vd. or V, An s is added to either mode of abbre-
viation, to form the plural number : and observe, that the
Verb and the possessive Pronoun are put in the third
person singular to agree with Vmd., and in the third person
plural to agree with Vmds. : Ex.
¿ Señor, ha visto Fmd. á su hermano ? Sir, have you seen your brother ?
Es de Vmd. Señora. It is yours, madam.
Caballeros, son Vmds.mxiy corteses. Gentlemen, you are very polite.
Es para Vms. señoritas. It is for you, young ladies.
Observe that the Adjective which refers to Vmd. or Vmds.
agrees in gender with the person to whom these abbreviations
allude : Ex.
¿ Esta Vmd. bueno caballero ? Are you v^^ell, Sir ?
I Estan Vms. buenas Señoras ? Are you well, ladies ?
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS.
113. Possessive Pronouns do not vary their form in
but they admit the same Pre-
Spanish on account of case ;
positions in the several cases as personal pronouns do.
Mi.
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS THAT PRECEDE THE NOUN.