12.4.1

The Positive Imperative

Test yourself

Imperative

The imperative has four forms: Tú, Usted, Vosotros/as, Ustedes. The 'tú' and 'vosotros/as forms are used informal. The informal terms come across as friendlier and often don't have exclamation marks.

Illustrative background for AR verbsIllustrative background for AR verbs ?? "content

AR verbs

  • The 'tú' form is the same as the 'él/ella' form of the present tense.
  • The 'vosotros' form is made by removing the 'r' from the infinitive and adding a 'd'.
  • The formal forms come from the present subjunctive.
    • Habla - singular informal (tú).
    • Hablad - plural informal (vosotros/as).
    • Hable - singular formal (usted).
    • Hablen - plural formal (ustedes).
Illustrative background for ER verbsIllustrative background for ER verbs ?? "content

ER verbs

  • The 'tú' form is the same as the 'él/ella' form of the present tense.
  • The 'vosotros' form is made by removing the 'r' from the infinitive and adding a 'd'.
  • The formal forms come from the present subjunctive.
    • Aprende - singular informal (tú).
    • Aprended - plural informal (vosotros/as).
    • Aprenda - singular formal (usted).
    • Aprendan - plural formal (ustedes).
Illustrative background for IR verbsIllustrative background for IR verbs ?? "content

IR verbs

  • The 'tú' form is the same as the 'él/ella' form of the present tense.
  • The 'vosotros' form is made by removing the 'r' the infinitive and adding a 'd'.
  • The formal forms come from the present subjunctive.
    • Vive - singular informal (tú).
    • Vivid - plural informal (vosotros/as).
    • Viva - singular formal (usted).
    • Vivan - plural formal (ustedes).
Illustrative background for Irregular IR verb example - PedirIllustrative background for Irregular IR verb example - Pedir ?? "content

Irregular IR verb example - Pedir

  • The 'tú' form is the same as the 'él/ella' form of the present tense.
  • The 'vosotros' form is made by removing the 'r' the infinitive and adding a 'd'.
  • The formal forms come from the present subjunctive.
  • Pedir is an irregular verb. The él/ella form of the present tense is pide.
    • Pide - singular informal (tú).
    • Pedid - plural informal (vosotros/as).
    • Pida - singular formal (usted).
    • Pidan - plural formal (ustedes).
Illustrative background for Let'sIllustrative background for Let's ?? "content

Let's

  • You use the 'nosotros/as' form of the imperative to say 'let or let's do something'.
  • It's exactly the same as the 'nosotros' form of the present subjunctive for er, ar and ir verbs.
    • E.g. Compremos las entradas para el cine.
      • Let's buy tickets for the cinema.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium