10.2: Informal Commands

Question 1

Informal commands are used with people you would address with tú. To form the affirmative informal commands, use the third-person singular (él/ella) of the present tense.

Answer 1

bajar
baja

correr
corre

subir
sube

Llama el hotel para hacer una reservación.
Call the hotel to make a reservation.

Pide servicio a la habitación.
Ask for room service.

Notice that stem-changing verbs keep their changes in the informal command forms.

Question 2

The following verbs have irregular forms for the affirmative informal commands.

Answer 2

decir
di

hacer
haz

ir
ve

poner
pon

salir
sal

ser
sé

tener
ten

venir
ven

Haz la cama, por favor.
Make the bed, please.

Question 3

When forming negative informal commands use the formal usted commands and add an -s.

Answer 3

ayudar
ayude
no ayudes

poner
ponga
no pongas

conducir
conduzca
no conduzcas

decir
diga
no digas

ir
vaya
no vayas

No dejes la llave en la puerta
Don’t leave the key in the door.

No cuelgues las toallas sucias.
Don’t hang up the dirty towels.

Question 4

In Spain, ustedes commands are formal. To give commands to two or more friends or family members, the Spanish use the informal vosotros commands. Vosotros affirmative commands are formed by dropping the -r from the infinitive and replacing it with a -d. Negative commands are formed by using the base of the nosotros commands and adding the opposite vosotros ending (-éis, -áis).

Answer 4

cerrar
cerrad
no cerréis

hacer
haced
no hagáis

ir
id
no vayáis