Overview
Formal commands are often used when addressing a person you don't know well, a person older than you, or a person to whom you want to show deference or respect (like a boss or teacher).
Singular Formal (Usted) Commands
Here are a few examples of singular formal commands, which are also called usted commands.
Pague la cuenta, por favor.
Pay the bill, please.
Sea amable.
Be nice.
Abra la ventana.
Open the window.
Plural Formal (Ustedes) Commands
Here are a few examples of plural formal commands, which are also called ustedes commands.
In countries other than Spain, you can also use these commands to address any group of people, regardless of age or social standing. This is because ustedes is used for both the formal and informal plural in Latin America.
Damas y caballeros, pasen por aquí.
Ladies and gentlemen, come this way.
Vengan más temprano mañana.
Come earlier tomorrow.
Estudiantes, abran sus libros.
Students, open your books.
Affirmative Formal Commands
All Ud. (usted) and Uds. (ustedes) commands are the same as the Ud. and Uds. present subjunctive forms.
Infinitive Ud. Present Subjunctive Ud. Formal Command Uds. Present Subjunctive Uds. Formal Command
hablar
hable
hable
hablen
hablen
comer
coma
coma
coman
coman
vivir
viva
viva
vivan
vivan
Irregular present subjunctive forms can be found in the article on the present subjunctive.
Pronoun Placement in Affirmative Formal Commands
Pronouns are attached to the end of affirmative commands. If the command form of the verb has more than one syllable, a written accent is added when attaching a pronoun.
Tráigamelo.
Bring it to me.
Míralo.
Look at it.
Negative Formal Commands
Negative formal commands couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is put a negative word such as no in front of the affirmative formal command, and you've got yourself a negative formal command.
No saquen sus libros.
Do not take out your books.
No ponga su bolsa aquí.
Do not put your purse here.
No vengan mañana.
Do not come tomorrow.
Pronoun Placement in Negative Formal Commands
Pronouns come between the negative wor(such as no) and the command form in negative formal commands.
No se levante antes de leer el artículo.
Don’t get up before you read the article.
Nunca les compre dulces a los niños.
Never buy candy for the children.
Nunca se los compre.
Never buy it for them.
