10.1: Formal and Nosotros Commands

Question 1

When we tell someone to do something, we use commands, known as MANDATOS in Spanish. Formal commands are used with people you would address with USTED and USTEDES; however, these personal pronouns must be left out when using commands. To form these commands, drop the -o from the present tense first person (yo form) and add the opposite ending [-e(n) for -ar verbs, and -a(n) for -er and -ir verbs].

Answer 1

(present tense formal
first person) command
hablo hable(n)
hago haga(n)
sirvo sirva(n)

PIDA más información en el mostrador
ASK FOR more information at the counter

FACTUREN su equipaje primero.
CHECK your bags first.

*Notice that verbs that have a stem change or are irregular in the present tense follow the same pattern in formal commands.

Question 2

Negative formal commands are formed by placing NO in front of the verb.

Answer 2

NO pierdan los pasaportes.

DON’T LOSE the passports.

Question 3

Infinitives that end in -CAR and -GAR have spelling changes in order to maintain the same sound as the infinitive. Infinitives that end in -ZAR also have a spelling change.

Answer 3

• CAR buscar busQUE(N)
• GAR llegar lleGUE(N)
• ZAR empezar empieCE(N)

Question 4

The following verbs have irregular command forms.

Answer 4

dar                 dé (den)
estar              esté(n)
ir                     vaya(n)
saber            sepa(n)
ser                 sea(n)

Question 5

To make suggestions with Let’s, use commands in the nosotros form. Nosotros commands are very similar to formal commands. Add -emos for -ar verbs, and -amos for -er and -ir verbs.

Answer 5

Infinitive        Formal Command          Nosotros Command
sacar              saque(n)                        saquemos
beber             beba(n)                             bebamos
venir               venga(n)                           vengamos

Estamos atrasados. ¡Corramos!
We are late Let’s run!

Salgamos por la mañana.
Let’s leave in the morning.

Question 6

The nosotros forms of the irregular verbs are also similar to the formal commands.

Answer 6

dar demos
estar estemos
saber sepamos
ser seamos

Question 7

Ir has two different nosotros command forms. The present tense vamos is commonly used with affirmative commands, and vayamos is used with negative commands.

Answer 7

¡Vamos a Perú!
Let’s go to Peru!

No vayamos en tren.
let’s not go by train.

Question 8

-Ar and -er verbs with stem changes do not change in nosotros commands. However, -ir verbs do have a stem change (o -> u and e -> i)

Answer 8

Infinitive Present Tense Nosotros Command
cerrar cerramos cerremos
volver volvemos volvamos
pedir pedimos pidamos
dormir dormimos durmamos