Formal commands
- 1. Formal Commands (Los mandatos formales)
- 2. Formal Commands We use commands to give instructions or to ask people to do things. In Spanish, commands have different forms to distinguish between formal (usted/ustedes) and informal (tú/vosotros) address. Formal commands use subjunctive forms, with the implied meaning that the speaker is trying to influence the listener to do something.
- 3. Por favor, Juan, hable Ud. español. Commands are used (both politely and otherwise) to persuade others to do our bidding. We are trying to get Juan to do something that we want him to do. Formal Commands Juan, Ud. habla bien el francés. We might make a simple statement to communicate a fact. Juan speaks French well, so we tell him so. It’s very nice that Juan speaks French, but we are in Madrid! So we tell him . . .
- 4. As mentioned, formal commands are based on subjunctive forms. Notice the following chart: Formal Commands Infinitive Subjunctive Formal commands hablar pensar comer saber escribir ir pedir Ud. Uds. hable piense coma sepa escriba vaya pida hable piense coma sepa escriba vaya pida hablen piensen coman sepan escriban vayan pidan
- 5. Dar Ir Ser Haber Estar Saber dé, den vaya, vayan sea, sean haya, hayan esté, estén sepa, sepan Of course, the same six (DISHES) verbs are irregular with command forms as they are in the subjunctive. Formal Commands
- 6. Despida a ese empleado, Sr. Ruiz. Formal Commands Hable con su gerente. Following are examples of formal commands: Speak to your manager. Fire that employee, Mr. Ruiz. Salgan pronto de la oficina. Leave the office soon. Piensen antes de hablar. Think before speaking.
- 7. No asciendan a todos los empleados. Formal Commands No llegue tarde. Negative commands are formed by placing no in front of the command form. Don’t arrive late. Don’t promote all of the employees.
- 8. No griten ustedes en el trabajo. Formal Commands Piense usted. Subject pronouns may be used with commands for emphasis or clarification. As a rule, they are placed after the verb. You think. Don’t you shout at work.
- 9. Tráiganmelo, por favor. Formal Commands ¡Váyase de aquí! Object pronouns follow and are attached to affirmative commands and precede negative commands. Leave here! Bring it to me, please. No se levante, señorita. Don’t get up, miss. No se lo den al jefe. Don’t give it to the boss. Affirmative commands with pronouns attached require a written accent.
- 10. FIN