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The Positive Imperative

Spanish: KS3, topic 20.4.1

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.

AR verbs

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).
ER verbs

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).
IR verbs

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).
Irregular IR verb example - Pedir

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).
Let's

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.

Test yourself on The Positive Imperative

  • What is the vosotros form of 'decir' in the imperative?

  • What is the ustedes form of 'decidir' in the imperative?

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