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Course Introduction

1. Nouns & Articles

2. Ser & Estar

3. Nouns & Adjectives

4. Regular Verbs

5. Ser/Estar (Past Tense)

6. Core Irregular Verbs (Present & Past)

7. Imperfect

8. Adverbs

9. Prepositions

10. Stem-changing Verbs - Part 1

11. Stem-changing Verbs - Part 2

12. Imperfect vs. Preterite

13. Syntax: Objects Overview

14. Past Participles & Present Perfect

15. Irregular and Go-verbs (Present)

16. Verbs with Irregular Yo-forms (Past)

17. Direct Object Pronouns

18. Indirect Object Pronouns, Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns Together

19. Reflexive Verbs

20. Verbs like Gustar

21. Present & Past Progressive

22. Past Perfect & Infinitive Constructions

23. Future Simple

24. Conditional

25. The Imperative

Episode #25

The Imperative

I. Intro

The imperative is used to tell someone to do something in a way that is stronger and more direct that making a suggestion. In both English and Spanish, the subject of an imperative sentence, or command, is implied and not explicitly mentioned - for example, “levanta la mano” (raise your hand), or “siéntate por favor” (please sit down). In English, we use the base form of the verb to express a command. In Spanish, we have several distinct imperative verb forms which can be divided into two main categories: informal (tú) and formal (usted). In this lesson, we are going to cover informal commands.

II. Form: Regular tú commands

Tú commands are formed by using the present tense usted form of most verbs. That means that the verb form for saying “he/she/it does something” is the same for the command “do something!”

Infinitive

Present tense (usted)

Tú command

hablar Juan habla español. ¡Habla español!
comer Elisa come la patata. ¡Come la patata!
vivir Usted vive en una casa. ¡Vive en mi casa!

III. Form: Irregular tú commands

There are eight irregular tú commands: ser, poner, tener, salir, venir, ir, decir, and hacer.

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