The Imperative 01 Flashcards
5 uses of the imperative?
(i) to give direct commands (usually);
(ii) to ask for something (sometimes);
(iii) to demand something (sometimes);
(iv) to give instructions (sometimes); and
(v) to offer something
Tip 1 on how to conjugate imperative
There is always no first person singular or often no first person plural
Tip 2 on how to conjugate imperative
For the “tu” form use the “él/ella/usted” form (third person singular) of the present simple indicative for any group of verbs (-AR, -ER, or -IR) eg “tu comes” becomes “tu come”
Corre (tú) más despacio o te cansarás muy rápidamente.
Run slower or you will get tired really quickly.
Salta (tú) más alto para alcanzar esa rama del árbol.
Jump higher to reach that tree limb.
Tip 3 on how to conjugate imperative
For the “Él/Ella/Usted” (third person singular) and “Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes” (third person plural) form change the last vowel of the present simple as follows:
Verbs ending in -AR: change -a for -e
Verbs ending in -ER and -IR: change -e for -a eg comer = el coma
Canten (ustedes) una canción para todos nosotros.
Sing a song for all of us.
Diles a tus amigos que coman (ellos) más comida o tendré que tirarla.
Tell your friends to eat more food or I’ll have to throw it away.
Tip 4 on how to conjugate imperative
For the “nosotros” (first person plural) form, take the same person from the present subjunctive eg nosotros hablemos
Hablemos (nosotros) con los profesores antes de que hablen nuestros padres.
Let’s talk with the teachers before our parents do so.
Compremos el nuevo ordenador antes de que se agote en las tiendas.
Let’s buy the new computer before it’s sold out in the stores.
Tip 5 on how to conjugate imperative
For the “vosotros” (second person plural) form change the last “-r” in the infinitive for a “-d”
Cantar –> Vosotros cantad
Comer –> Vosotros comed
Vivir –> Vosotros vivid
Cantad más alto para que el público de la última fila pueda escucharos.
Sing louder so the audience in the last row can hear you.
Comed más verduras ya que es bueno para vuestra salud.
Eat more vegetables because it’s good for your health.
Vivid la vida como si no hubiera mañana.
Live your life as if there was no tomorrow.
Deja de jugar con la comida. Why imperative used?
To give a command, “Stop playing with your food.”
Baja esa maleta del altillo. Why imperative used?
To give a command, “Get that suitcase down from the sleeping loft.”
¿Puedo abrir la ventana? ¡Claro! Ábrela. Why imperative used?
To give permission, “May I open the window? Of course! Open it.”
