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Spanish Grammar: Verbs
The Imperative Defined
Sentences are classified, according to use, as declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.
A DECLARATIVE SENTENCE makes a statement.
They left yesterday for Chicago. (Declarative)
An INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE asks a question.
Has the mailman arrived yet? (Interrogative)
An IMPERATIVE SENTENCE states a request or command.
Please take a seat. (Imperative)
An EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE expresses strong feeling or emotion.
How pretty she is! (Exclamatory)
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Forming COMMANDS in Spanish
There are two kinds of commands in Spanish: familiar commands (referring to tú and vosotros, -as) and polite commands (referring to usted and ustedes). The polite forms are the most common in general conversation, but one should be able to recognize both.
In familiar affirmative commands, the singular (used with tú) of all regular and of many irregular verbs is the same as the third person singular of the present indicative. The plural (used with vosotros, -as) of all verbs is obtained by dropping the -r of the infinitive and adding -d.
| singular (tú) | plural (vosotros) | |
| -ar: hablar | habla | hablad |
| -er: comer | come | comed |
| -ir: abrir | abre | abrid |
A few irregular forms of the familiar affirmative commands in the singular are:
| decir | di |
| salir | sal |
| hacer | haz |
| ser | sé |
| ir | ve |
| tener | ten |
| poner | pon |
| venir | ven |
Por favor di que sí.
Please say yes.
Haz un dibujo.
Draw (make) a picture.
Sé bueno.
Be good.
Ven conmigo.
Come with me.
Negative familiar commands and all polite commands use the present subjunctive. In polite commands, the verb is usually followed by Ud. or Uds.
No hables con ellos. (familiar)
Don't speak to them.
No me digas nada de ello. (familiar)
Don't tell me anything about it.
Venga Ud. por aquí, por favor. (polite)
Come this way, please.
No vayan Uds. con ellos. (polite)
Don't go with them.
Compare:
Escribe. (familiar singular affirmative)
No escribas. (familiar singular negative)
Escriba Ud. el libro. (polite singular affirmative)
No escriba Ud. el libro. (polite singular negative)
Escriban Uds. con cuidado. (polite plural affirmative)
No escriban Uds. con cuidado. (polite plural negative)
Commands referring to nosotros (let's run, let's sing, etc.) are expressed.
1. By vamos a and the infinitive if the intention is to do it now.
Tengo hambre, vamos a comer.
I'm hungry, let's eat.
2. Otherwise by the first person plural of the present subjunctive.
Hablemos con Juan.
Let's talk to John.
Indirect commands (May he prosper, Let him go, etc.), also use the present subjunctive and are usually introduced by que.
Que lo haga Jorge.
Let Jorge do it.
Que me lo diga María.
Have María tell me.
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Position of object pronouns in commands
A. In affirmative commands, the object pronouns follow and are attached to the verb. An accent is written over the stressed vowel of the verb-form:
Háblame, María.
Talk to me, María.
Comámoslo ahora.
Let's eat it now.
Escríbanoslo Ud.
Write it for us.
Siéntese Ud.
Sit down.
When the reflexive pronoun is added to the first person plural, the final -s of the verb-form is dropped:
sentemos plus nos = sentemo- plus nos = sentémonos
Acostémonos
Let's go to bed
Vámonos
Let's go/leave
Levantémonos
Let's get up
B. In negative and indirect commands, the object pronouns precede
the verb:
No lo hagas.
Don't do it.
Que lo compren los muchachos.
Let the boys buy it.
No se siente Ud.
Do not sit down.
No nos sentemos.
Let's not sit down.
After Vamos a ("let's") and the infinitive, the object pronouns are attached to the infinitive:
Vamos a comprarlo.
Let's go buy it.
Vamos a dárselo.
Let's give it to him.
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Expressing Greater Politeness
Greater politeness may be shown by using: el favor de (plus infinitive); la bondad de (plus infinitive); or por favor preceding or following a regular command form.
Hagan Uds. el favor de esperar.
Would you mind waiting, please.
Haga Ud. el favor de pasar por aquí.
Come this way, if you please.
Tenga Ud. la bondad de firmar aquí.
Please sign here.
¿Tendría Ud. la bondad de cerrar la puerta, por favor?
Would you be so kind as to close the door?
Venga Ud. por aquí, por favor.
Come this way, please.
Se ruega silencio.
Silence please.
Note that the infinitive is often used in instructions (particulary on packaging or in recipes).
Abrir aquí.
Open here.
Enfriar antes servir.
Chill before serving.
No tocar.
Do not touch.
No pisar el césped.
Do not walk on the grass.