Imperative
The imperative mood gives direct commands, requests, or advice, and it shapes how you tell someone to do something. This guide goes through forming the imperative for different kinds of verbs, including useful examples and common signal words.
Formation
The imperative uses different forms depending on whether you tell someone tú, usted, vosotros, ustedes, or we (nosotros). Affirmative and negative commands sometimes use different subjunctive forms, so paying attention to each pattern helps you give clear orders.
Tú
Affirmative tú commands come from the third-person singular of the present indicative, while negative tú commands use the tú form of the subjunctive. This means you switch forms depending on whether the command is positive or negative.
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Usted
Both affirmative and negative commands for usted use the third-person singular of the subjunctive, so you use the same form whether adding or forbidding an action politely. This keeps requests consistently formal.
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Nosotros
Nosotros commands use the first-person plural subjunctive to tell a group to do something or to include yourself in the action, as in vámonos or pidamos. Both affirmative and negative uses follow the same pattern.
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Vosotros
Affirmative vosotros commands normally change the infinitive ending from -r to -d, while negative vosotros commands use the vosotros subjunctive form. This makes positive and negative forms distinct for that group.
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Ustedes
Ustedes commands for both affirmative and negative use the third-person plural subjunctive, applying consistently whether ordering or forbidding an action to a group.
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Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs attach pronouns differently in affirmative and negative commands: in affirmative commands the pronoun joins the end, sometimes adding an accent, while in negative commands the pronoun precedes the verb. This affects where the stress falls and keeps the command clear.
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Irregulars
Some high-use verbs have irregular imperative forms or common irregulars in the subjunctive that affect commands; learning these handful of exceptions makes your commands sound natural and avoids confusion in quick speech.
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Signal Words
Signal words like por favor, no, déme and time expressions can clue you in on whether to use an affirmative or negative command, and they help soften or emphasize requests when you add them around the imperative. These small markers guide tone as well as form.
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Summary
The imperative mood gives you direct ways to tell someone what to do, with distinct forms for different pronouns and clear differences between affirmative and negative commands. Practicing common patterns, reflexive placements, and key irregulars will make your spoken and written commands natural and effective.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025