The imperative is the command form of a verb. It is used to give

someone an order. There are affirmative commands (an order to do

something) and negative commands (an order not to do something).

IN ENGLISH

There are two types of commands, depending on who is being told to

do, or not to do, something.

“You” COMMAND—When an order is given to one or more persons, the

dictionary form of the verb is used.

Affirmative imperative Negative imperative

Answer the phone. Don’t answer the phone.

Clean your room. Don’t clean your room.

Talk softly. Don’t talk softly.

Notice that the pronoun “you” is not stated. The absence of the pro-

noun you in the sentence is a good indication that you are dealing

with an imperative and not a present tense.

You answer the phone.

present

Answer the phone.

imperative

“WE” COMMAND—When an order is given to oneself as well as to others,

the phrase “let’s” (a contraction of “let us”) is used followed by the

dictionary form of the verb.

Affirmative imperative Negative imperative

Let’s leave. Let’s not leave.

Let’s go to the movies. Let’s not go to the movies.

IN SPANISH

As in English, there are also two basic types of commands, depending

on whom is being told to do, or not to do, something. However, there

are many forms of the you command to distinguish familiar and

formal as well as affirmative and negative commands (see What is

Meant by Familiar and Formal “You”?, p. 34).

• example of an impersonal expression that is followed by a verb in

the subjunctive: es posible (it is possible)

Es posible que compremos un coche nuevo.

present subjunctive

comprar (to buy)

It’s possible that we will buy a new car

[word-for-word: It is possible that we buy a new car.]

• example of a verb of advice or command that is followed by a verb

in the subjunctive: aconsejar (to advise)

Te aconsejo que comas muchas legumbres.

I I

aconsejar present subjunctive

corner (to eat)

I advise you to eat a lot of vegetables.

[word-for-word: I advise that you eat a lot of vegetables.]

• example of an expression of emotion that is followed by a verb in

the subjunctive: sentir (to be sorry)

Siento que Julio esté enfermo.

I I

sentir present subjunctive

estar (to be)

I am sorry that Julio is sick.

“You” command

“Tü” COMMAND—When an order is given to someone to whom one says

tü.

Affirmative imperative

Habla.

Speak.

Ven aqui.

Come here.

Negative imperative

No hables.

Don’t speak.

No vengas aqui.

Don’t come here.

The affirmative tü command has the same form as the third-person

singular of the present indicative tense. There are also several irreg-

ular forms that you will have to learn individually. The negative hi

command has the same form as the second-person singular of the pre-

sent subjunctive.

“VosoTRos” COMMAND—When an order is given to two or more persons

with whom you say tü individually. The vosotros command is a

familiar plural command and is used only in Spain.

Affirmative Imperative

Venid aqui.

Come here.

Hablad.

Speak.

Negative imperative

No vengIis aqui.

Don’t come here.

No habléis.

Don’t speak.

The affirmative vosotros command is formed by dropping the -r from

the infinitive ending and replacing it with the letter -d. The negative

vosotros command has the same form as the second-person plural of

the present subjunctive.

“UsmD” COMMAND—When an order is given to a person with whom you

say usted.

Affirmative imperative

Hable.

Speak.

Venga aquf.

Come here.

Negative imperative

No hable.

Don’t speak.

No venga aqui.

Don’t come here.

Both the affirmative and negative usted commands have the same

form as the third-person singular of the present subjunctive.

“USTEDES” COMMAND-IN SPAIN: When an order is given to two or more

persons with whom you use usted individually. IN LATIN AMERICA:

When an order is given to two or more persons with whom you use tü

or usted individually.

Affirmative imperative

Hablen.

Speak.

Venga aqui.

Come here.

Negative imperative

No hablen.

Don’t speak.

No venga aqui.

Don’t come here.

Both the affirmative and negative ustedes commands have the same

form as the third-person plural of the present subjunctive.

The use of usted or ustedes following the command is optional. It is

considered somewhat more polite to use the pronoun, but it is not rude

to omit it.

“We” command

The affirmative and negative nosotros command has the same form as

the first-person plural of the present subjunctive.

Affirmative Imperative

Hablemos.

Let’s talk.

Salgamos.

Let’s leave.

Negative imperative

No hablemos.

Let’s not talk.

No salgamos.

Let’s not leave.

Notice that the English phrase “let’s” does not translate into Spanish;

the command ending is the equivalent of “let’s.”

Here is a chart you can use as a reference for choosing the proper form

of the Spanish command.

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