The Command Voice El Imperativo We use the command voice to tell people what to do In Spanish there are two command voices: The familiar commands-to tell people you would normally address in the tú form what to do. Example: (to your little brother) Don’t eat the grapes. ¡No comas las uvas! The formal commands-to tell people you would normally address in the Ud./Uds. form what to do. Example: (to an adult) Don’t talk in the auditorium. No hable in el auditorio.

We also have both positive and negative commands in each voice: Tú-(+) Eat your vegetables! (-) Don’t eat junk food! Ud.-(+)Turn off your cell phones (-)Don’t leave personal items on the plane.

The informal commands-to tell people you would normally address in the tú form what to do. Affirmative Commands: We form affirmative commands by simply using the present tense “he/she/it”form of the verb to address someone you would normally speak to in the tú voice. Example: ¡Come verduras! ¡Bebe leche! Negative Commands: We form negative commands by starting with the “yo” form of the verb and then drop the “o” and add: -ar -er -ir tú -es -as -as Example: ¡No comas uvas! ¡No hables por teléfono!

Example: Cierre la puerta The formal commands-to tell people you would normally address in the Ud./Uds. form what to do. Affirmative Commands: We form affirmative commands by starting with the “yo” form of the verb and then drop the “o” and add: -ar -er -ir Ud. -e -a -a Uds. -en -an -an Example: Cierre la puerta Escuche el radio Irregular Verbs Formal Commands: dar-dé/den estar-esté/estén ir-vaya/vayan ser-sea/sean B. Negative Commands: We form negative commands by placing “no” before the positive command verb: Example: No trabajen mucho. No lea en voz alta.

Example: Paguen la cuenta. Example: No toques la guitarra. Formal Commands: -car, -gar and –zar rule for both positive and negative commands: (using the yo root) -car -gar -zar Ud. -que -gue -ce Uds. -quen -guen -cen Example: Paguen la cuenta. Familiar Commands: -car, -gar and –zar rule: Positive: No change- use the Ud. form of verb. Example: Toca la guitarra. Negative: (using the yo root) -car -gar -zar tú -ques -gues -ces Example: No toques la guitarra.

Using “lola” with Commands: It is the same rule for both formal and familiar commands: Positive Commands: Always attach “lola” on the end of the command verb, and in most cases an accent mark is required. For example: (Ud.) Hágalo ahora. Do it now. (tú) Lávalos. Wash them. Negative Commands: Always place “lola” in front of the command verb. For example: (Ud.) No lo haga ahora. (tú) No los laves. Don’t wash them.