Spanish Mandatos: Formal + Informal Commands

What is the purpose of informal commands in Spanish?

To give instructions and tell people what to do.

How are singular informal affirmative commands formed?

They normally use the present tense él/ella form of a verb.

What is the implied subject in informal commands?

The word tú is implied but generally omitted.

Conjugate venir (tú, informal command):

¡Ven!

Conjugate decir (tú, informal command):

¡Di!

Conjugate salir (tú, informal command):

¡Sal!

Conjugate hacer (tú, informal command):

¡Haz!

Conjugate tener (tú, informal command):

¡Ten!

Conjugate ir (tú, informal command):

¡Ve!

Conjugate poner (tú, informal command):

¡Pon!

Conjugate ser (tú, informal command):

¡Sé!

What happens to object and reflexive pronouns in affirmative informal + formal commands?

They follow and are attached to the commands.

What is required for commands with more than one syllable that have an attached pronoun?

An accent mark is usually required.

• 3 vowels back for 1 attached pronoun

• 4 vowels back for 2 attached pronoun

What is the command form for dar (Ud.)?

¡Dé!

What is the command form for estar (Ud.)?

¡Esté!

What is the command form for ir (Ud.)?

¡Vaya!

What is the command form for saber (Ud.)?

¡Sepa!

What is the command form for ser (Ud.)?

¡Sea!

How do you form plural commands (Uds.) from singular commands?

Add the letter -n to the singular formal command.

What is the command form for hablar (Uds.)?

¡Hablen!

What is the command form for comer (Uds.)?

¡Coman!

What is the command form for escribir (Uds.)?

¡Escriban!

What is the command form for cerrar (Uds.)?

¡Cierren!

What is the command form for volver (Uds.)?

¡Vuelvan!

What is the command form for seguir (Uds.)?

¡Sigan!

What is the command form for dar (Uds.)?

¡Den!

What is the command form for estar (Uds.)?

¡Estén!

What is the difference between saber and conocer?

Saber is used for facts and information, while conocer is used for familiarity with people or places.

What is the yo form of saber?

Yo sé.

What is the yo form of conocer?

Yo conozco.

Formation of negative Ud. command

Add 'no' before the verb.

Negative tú command formation

Put into subjunctive el/ella/usted, add -s to the Ud. command, place 'no' before the verb.

Example of negative tú command

Alberto, no manejes.

Example of negative Ud. command

No maneje Ud. derecho.

Usage of saber

To talk about facts or skills.

Usage of conocer

To discuss familiarity with people, places, or things.

Personal a with conocer

Add 'a' after conocer when referring to people.

Example of saber in a sentence

¿Sabes dónde se puede comprar flores?

Example of conocer in a sentence

Conoces a tus vecinos?

Placement of object pronouns in negative informal + formal commands

Pronouns must precede the verb.

Example of object pronoun in negative command

No lo tires al cesto de papeles.

Conjugation of conocer (yo)

conozco

Conjugation of conocer (tú)

conoces

Conjugation of saber (yo)

sé

Conjugation of saber (tú)

sabes

Conjugation of saber (él/ella/Ud.)

sabe

Conjugation of saber (ellos/ellas/Uds.)

saben

Conjugation of conocer (ellos/ellas/Uds.)

conocen

Example of saber with infinitive

Él sabe jugar béisbol.

Negative command for Uds.

No duerman Uds. muy tarde.

Example of affirmative command for Uds.

Duerman Uds. temprano.

Meaning of saber

To know facts, skills, or information.

Meaning of conocer

To know people, places, or things.

Example of a negative command with reflexive pronoun

No se los coman Uds.

What is the saying for irregular informal positive commands?

Vin Diesel has ten weapons, eh! (Ven-di-sal-haz-ten-ve-pon, sé!)