“On” can only replace “nous” when it is a subject pronoun. In the first example, the corresponding French sentence has “nous”/“on” as a subject of the verb come, so “on” can be used.
Do you want us to come
From more formal to less formal.
- Veux-tu/voulez-vous que nous venions ?
- Veux-tu que l’on vienne ?
- Veux-tu qu’on vienne ?
- Tu veux qu’on vienne ?
In the two other, “us” is not subject, thus using “on” is impossible.
You owe us money.
- Tu nous dois de l’argent.
Tell us!
- Raconte-nous !
- Dis-nous !
Basically just remember that “on” is the equivalent of “one” (as in on doit etre gentil/one should be kind
) and “nous” corresponds to “we” (nous chantons/we sing) or “us” (dis-nous/tell us) or rarely ours (as in chez nous
).
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