Affirmative Formal commands Also plural commands
Steps for success! 1. To form an affirmative formal command, Substitute the –o of the present tense yo form of a verb with an –e for –ar verbs OR with an –a for –er and –ir verbs. 2. To make the plural (Uds.) command by adding the letter –n to the singular formal command. Verbs with changes in their stem in the present tense usually have the same change in the formal command.
note Like tú in singular informal commands, usted (Ud) or ustedes(Uds) are usually omitted from the formal/plural commands. Remember? ¡Habla español! The “tú” is not written out.
infinitive Yo form stem Singular formal command Plural commands Mirar Miro Mir- Mire Ud. Miren Uds. Leer Leo Le- Lea Ud. Lean Uds. Escribir Escribo Escrib- Escriba Ud. Escriban Uds. Cerrar Cierro Cierr- Cierre Ud. Cierren Uds. Volver Vuelvo Vuelv- Vuelva Ud. Vuelvan Uds. Seguir Sigo Sig- Siga Ud. Sigan Uds.
translate Look at the blackboard (Ud.) Mire la pizarra. Read the book. (Uds.) Lean Uds. el libro. Close the window (Ud.) Cierre la ventana.
LOS irregulares Muy triste…sigh A few verbs have irregular FORMAL and PLURAL commands.
Irregular formal and plural commands infinitive Ud. command Uds. command Dar Dé Ud. Den Uds. Estar Esté Ud. Estén Uds. Ir Vaya Ud. Vayan Uds. Saber Sepa Ud. Sepan Uds. Ser Sea Ud. Sean Uds.
Nosotros commands
Nosotros commands This form allows you to suggest that others do some activity with you and it is equivalent to “let’s (do something)” in English. It is formed by substituting the –o of the present tense yo form of a verb with an –emos for MOST –ar verbs, or –amos for MOST –er and –ir verbs.
Some notes… Stem changing –ar and –er verbs DO NOT REQUIRE a stem change in the nosotros/nosotras command. Stem changing –ir verbs REQUIRE a stem change. IRREGULAR…The affirmative nosotros/nosotras command for the verb ir is Vamos (let’s go).
Nosotros commands infinitive Yo form Nosotros command Hablar Hablo Hablemos… Comer Como Comamos… Escribir Escribo Escribamos… Cerrar (ie) Cierro Cerremos… Volver (ue) Vuelvo Volvamos… Buscar Busco Busquemos…