Commands (Imperative Form)

Formal Commands

Commands are used when ordering, or telling someone to do something. This is often referred to as the "imperative" form of the verb.

Compre Ud. el anillo.
(You) Buy the ring.

Venga a clase mañana.
(You) Come to class tomorrow.

Compren Uds. los libros.
(You-all) Buy the books.

Vengan a clase mañana.
(You-all) Come to class tomorrow.

By now, you are well acquainted with the fact that Spanish has both a formal and an informal style of speech (tú / Ud.). This distinction applies to commands.

Compre Ud. el anillo.
Buy the ring. (formal)

Compra (tú) los dulces.
Buy the candy. (familiar)

Informal, or familiar, speech is used among friends, coworkers, relatives, or when addressing a child. Formal speech is generally used to be polite or to express respect. For that reason, the formal commands are often referred to as polite commands.
The formal commands are formed the same way as the present subjunctive:
1. Start with the yo form of the present indicative.

2. Then drop the -o ending.
3. Finally, add the following endings:

-ar verbs:-e (for Ud.), -en (for Uds.)

-er and -ir verbs:-a (for Ud.), -an (for Uds.)

The following examples of formal commands use three regular verbs: hablar, comer, and escribir.

Hable Ud. más lentamente. / Hablen Uds. más lentamente. ---> Speak more slowly.

Coma Ud. la cena. / Coman Uds. la cena. ---> Eat the dinner.

Escriba Ud. la carta. / Escriban Uds. la carta. ---> Write the letter.

Remember, if the first person singular (yo) form is irregular, that irregularity is carried over into the formation of the formal command.

Tenga Ud. un buen viaje. (yo tengo)
Have a good trip.

Traigan Uds. dinero para ir a Oaks Mall. (yo traigo)
Bring money in order to go to the Oaks Mall.

Vengan Uds. temprano a Gainesville para ir a Saint Augustine. (yo vengo)
Come early to Gainesville in order to go to Saint Augustine.

This also applies to stem-changing verbs.

Cuente Ud. conmigo. (yo cuento)
Count on me.

Vuelvan Uds. pronto. (yo vuelvo)
Return quickly.

Pidan dinero a sus padres para venir a Gainesville. (yo pido)
Ask for money to your parents in order to come to Gainesville.

As with the present subjunctive, the following verbs are irregular:

dar
dé Ud.
den Uds.

estar
esté Ud.
estén Uds.

ir
vaya Ud.
vayan Uds.

ser
sea Ud.
sean Uds.

saber
sepa Ud.
sepan Uds.

Note that affirmative and negative commands use the same verb forms.

Hable Ud. ---> Speak.
No hable Ud. ---> Don't speak.

Coma Ud. ---> Eat.
No coma Ud. ----> Don't eat.

Escriba Ud. ----> Write.
No escriba Ud. ---> Don't write.

Also note that the subject pronouns Ud. and Uds. may or may not be used. Using them adds a degree of formality or politeness to the command.

Hable. ---> Speak.
Hable Ud. ---> Speak (sir). (more respectful)

Coma. ---> Eat.
Coma Ud. ---> Eat (sir). (more polite)

Let's add two flashcards for the formal commands:

Verb Flashcards

Formal Commands (Imperative)
Use the present subjunctive forms

Hable Ud. ---> Speak.
No hable Ud. ---> Don't speak.

Coma Ud. ---> Eat.
No coma Ud. ---> Don't eat.

Escriba Ud. pronto. ----> Write soon.
No escriba Ud. pronto. ---> Don't write soon.

Irregular Formal Commands (Imperative)
Same irregulars as the present subjunctive forms

Dar ---> dé Ud. / den Uds.

Estar ---> esté Ud. / estén Uds.

Ir ---> vaya Ud. / vayan Uds.

Ser ---> sea Ud. / sean Uds.

Saber ---> sepa Ud. / sepan Uds.

Homework: Write a paragraphe telling your friend what she/he should wear when she/he comes to visit you to Gainesville, and send it to me via e-mail to spanish1115@yahoo.com, I will help you with your grammar. Have fun!