Grammar Guide: Imperatives in Spanish

Grammar Guide: Imperatives in Spanish

In Spanish, the imperative is used to give orders or commands, and it is formed differently depending on whether the subject of the sentence is tú, usted, nosotros, or ustedes. In this chapter, we will explore the different forms of the imperative and how they are used in Spanish.

1. Tú commands

The tú command is used to give orders to someone you are familiar with, such as a friend, family member, or someone your own age. To form the tú command, you need to take the third person singular present indicative form of the verb and drop the final -s. For example:

• Hablas (you speak) → Habla (speak)

• Come (you eat) → Come (eat)

• Escucha (you listen) → Escucha (listen)

There are some irregular verbs that have different forms for the tú command, such as:

• Venir (to come) → Ven (come)

• Decir (to say) → Di (say)

• Hacer (to do) → Haz (do)

2. Usted commands

The usted command is used to give orders to someone you are not familiar with, such as a stranger, an older person, or someone in a position of authority. To form the usted command, you need to take the present subjunctive form of the verb. For regular verbs, the present subjunctive is formed by taking the yo form of the verb, dropping the -o, and adding the appropriate endings:

• -ar verbs: -e (hablar → hable)

• -er and -ir verbs: -a (comer → coma, vivir → viva)

For irregular verbs, the present subjunctive form must be memorized:

• Ser (to be) → Sea (be)

• Ir (to go) → Vaya (go)

• Saber (to know) → Sepa (know)

3. Nosotros commands

The nosotros command is used to give orders to a group that includes the speaker. To form the nosotros command, you need to take the first person plural form of the present subjunctive:

• -ar verbs: -emos (hablar → hablemos)

• -er and -ir verbs: -amos (comer → comamos, vivir → vivamos)

4. Ustedes commands

The ustedes command is used to give orders to a group that does not include the speaker. To form the ustedes command, you need to take the third person plural form of the present subjunctive:

• -ar verbs: -en (hablar → hablen)

• -er and -ir verbs: -an (comer → coman, vivir → vivan)

It's important to note that the vosotros command exists in some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Spain, but not in others, such as Mexico. It is formed by taking the second person plural form of the present indicative, dropping the -d, and adding the appropriate endings:

• -ar verbs: -ad (hablar → hablad)

• -er and -ir verbs: -ed (comer → comed, vivir → vivid)

5. Negative commands

Negative commands are formed by placing the word "no" before the verb in the imperative form. For example:

• No hables (don't speak)

• No coma (don't eat)

• No vayas (don't go)

6. Reflexive commands

When using reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb in the imperative form. For example:

• Levántate (get up)

• Lávate las manos (wash your hands)

• Uses of the imperative

The imperative is used to give orders, commands, or instructions. It can be used in various situations such as:

• Giving directions: "Gire a la derecha" (Turn right)

• Making requests: "Abre la ventana, por favor" (Open the window, please)

• Giving advice: "Descansa un poco" (Rest a little)

• Expressing prohibition: "No fumes aquí" (Don't smoke here)

• Giving warnings: "Ten cuidado con el perro" (Be careful with the dog)

• Expressing politeness: "Siéntese, por favor" (Please, have a seat)

It's important to note that the imperative can sound rude or impolite if not used in the appropriate context or with the appropriate tone. Adding polite expressions such as "por favor" (please) or using a more polite form of the imperative can help make the command sound more polite.

8. Common expressions with the imperative

There are several common expressions in Spanish that use the imperative form, such as:

• ¡Ven acá! (Come here!)

• ¡Sal de aquí! (Get out of here!)

• ¡Déjame en paz! (Leave me alone!)

• ¡No te preocupes! (Don't worry!)

• ¡Escucha! (Listen!)

9. Examples

Here are some examples of the imperative in different forms:

10. Tú commands:

    1. Come (Eat)

    2. Habla (Speak)

    3. Ven (Come)

    4. Di (Say)

    5. Haz (Do)

11. Usted commands:

    1. Hable (Speak)

    2. Coma (Eat)

    3. Vaya (Go)

    4. Sea (Be)

    5. Sepa (Know)

12. Nosotros commands:

    1. Hablemos (Let's speak)

    2. Comamos (Let's eat)

    3. Vayamos (Let's go)

    4. Seamos (Let's be)

    5. Sepamos (Let's know)

13. Ustedes commands:

    1. Hablen (Speak)

    2. Coman (Eat)

    3. Vayan (Go)

    4. Sean (Be)

    5. Sepan (Know)

14. Negative commands:

    1. No hables (Don't speak)

    2. No comas (Don't eat)

    3. No vayas (Don't go)

    4. No seas (Don't be)

    5. No sepas (Don't know)

15. Reflexive commands:

    1. Levántate (Get up)

    2. Siéntate (Sit down)

    3. Acuéstate (Lie down)

    4. Lávate las manos (Wash your hands)

    5. Cepíllate los dientes (Brush your teeth)

16. Summary

In summary, the imperative is an essential verb form in Spanish used to give orders, commands, or instructions. The form of the imperative changes depending on the subject of the sentence, and it can be used in various situations such as giving directions, making requests, giving advice, expressing prohibition, giving warnings, and expressing politeness. By understanding and mastering the different forms and uses of the imperative in Spanish, you will be able to communicate more effectively and confidently in various situations.