How do I form commands in Spanish?

Forming commands in Spanish involves creating imperative sentences that give orders, make requests, or offer suggestions. The way you form commands depends on whether you're giving a command to someone you're familiar with (informal) or someone you address with respect (formal). Here's how to form commands in Spanish for both informal and formal situations: Informal Commands (Tú Commands): Informal commands are used with people you are on familiar terms with, such as friends, family, or children. They are typically formed by using the third person singular form (él/ella/usted) of the present tense. To create an affirmative informal command, follow these steps: For -ar Verbs (e.g., hablar - to talk): Take the present tense third person singular form (él/ella/usted) of the verb. Remove the -r ending. Add the appropriate ending: -ar verbs: Replace -r with -a. For -er and -ir Verbs (e.g., comer - to eat, vivir - to live): Take the present tense third person singular form (él/ella/usted) of the verb. Remove the -r ending. Add the appropriate ending: -er verbs: Replace -r with -e. -ir verbs: Replace -r with -e. Negative Informal Commands (Tú Commands): Negative informal commands are formed differently from affirmative commands. Instead of using the present tense, you use the present subjunctive form. To create a negative informal command, follow these steps: Start with the present subjunctive yo form of the verb. Remove the -o ending. Add the appropriate ending: -ar verbs: Add -es. -er verbs: Add -as. -ir verbs: Add -as. Here are examples of both affirmative and negative informal commands: Affirmative: Habla más despacio. (Speak more slowly.) Come tu cena. (Eat your dinner.) Negative: No hables tan fuerte. (Don't speak so loudly.) No comas el postre. (Don't eat the dessert.) Formal Commands (Usted/Ustedes Commands): Formal commands are used to show respect or politeness when addressing someone in a formal or professional context. They are generally based on the third person singular (usted) or third person plural (ustedes) form of the verb in the present subjunctive tense. For -ar, -er, and -ir Verbs: Start with the present subjunctive form of the verb for either usted (singular) or ustedes (plural). There is no separate affirmative/negative distinction for formal commands. You can use the same forms for both. Here are examples of both formal commands: Formal Singular (Usted): Hable con el cliente. (Speak with the client.) Coma su cena. (Eat your dinner.) Formal Plural (Ustedes): Hablen más despacio. (Speak more slowly.) Coman el postre. (Eat the dessert.) It's important to note that some verbs have irregular command forms, especially in the affirmative tú commands and the formal commands. It's a good idea to memorize common irregularities to use commands correctly in various situations. read less