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.”
¿Qué te parece si hago paella este domingo? Hazla, me encantan tus paellas. Why imperative used?
To give permission, “What do you think if I make paella this Sunday? Do it, I love your paellas.”
Sube el volumen de la radio, por favor. Why imperative used?
To ask for something, “Turn up the volume of the radio, please.”
Ahora mismo no puedo atenderle. Llame en unos minutos que estoy muy ocupada. Why imperative used?
To ask for something, “I can’t help you right now. Call back in a few minutes because I’m very busy.”
Note the “que” phrase which justifies the use of the imperative. It’s often there in this context.
Si vais a ir a la playa, coged la sombrilla que hoy pica el sol. Why use the imperative?
To give advice or instructions, “If you guys are going to the beach, take the sunshade because the sun is scorching today.”
Note the “que” phrase which justifies the use of the imperative. It’s often there in this context.
Para llevar una vida sana, come alimentos con poca grasa. Why use the imperative?
To give advice or instructions, “In order to have a healthy life, eat food low in fat.”
Where is the imperative placed if followed by a direct or indirect pronoun? (2 rules)
It is normally placed after the verb in the simple tenses and before the verb in the perfect tenses.
