【英文版西语语法】Formal Affirmative and Negative Commands

 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.