Formal Imperative in Spanish

The formal imperative (command form) for usted is used to give polite commands, requests, or advice to a person you address formally.

Rules for formation:

The form corresponds to the present subjunctive form of the third person (usted). To form it, take the first person singular ("yo") form, remove the -o, and add the appropriate ending, as follows:

• Verbs ending in -ar take an e: hablar → hable (yo form is hablo)
• Verbs ending in -er take an a: comer → coma (yo form is como)
• Verbs ending in -ir take an a: vivir → viva (yo form is vivo)



• Irregular verbs:
  • decir → diga
  • hacer → haga
  • venir → venga
  • poner → ponga
  • salir → salga
  • ser → sea
  • dar → dé
  • ir → vaya
  
  
  
• Negation: For the negative form, add no (e.g. No hable, No coma). The verb form remains identical to the positive form.

Examples:

• "Hablar" (to speak): Hable now! (Speak now!)
• Negation: No hable now! (Do not speak now!)
• "Comer" (to eat): Coma early! (Eat early!)
• Negation: No coma late! (Do not eat late!)
• "Decir" (to say): Diga the truth! (Tell the truth!)
• "Hacer" (to do/make): Haga the work! (Do the work!)