1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.