Formal Commands: Mastering Polite Requests

Mastering Formal Commands

• Formal commands are used to make polite requests
• Always use the usted form of the verb
• Add -e to -ar verbs and -a to -er/-ir verbs
• Examples: Hable con el cliente, Coma su comida
• Practice and apply formal commands for effective communication

Formal Commands:

Making polite requests is one of the main uses of formal commands. They are used to express respect and politeness when giving instructions or making requests. Formal commands are an important aspect of communication in many cultures around the world. They help maintain a respectful and courteous tone in conversations.

Usted Commands

• Formal Commands in Spanish are used in situations when speaking to persons in authority for example our parents, teachers as well as strangers,

• Formal commands are also referred to as Usted commands

• Forming Formal/ Usted Commands

• To create an usted command, remember the mantra: form of yo, drop the – o, add the opposite ending -a or -e.

• Find the yo form of the verb

• For example Yo hablo

• Then drop the -o and add an -e

• ¡Hable! 

• Find the Yo form of the verb

• For example Yo como

• Then drop the -o and add an -a

• ¡Coma!

• Find the Yo form of the verb

• For example Yo abro

• Then drop the -o and add an -a

• ¡Abra!

• Verbs are followed by the pronoun usted when making a command. For example:

• Compre usted el anillo. - Buy the ring.

• Hable usted más lentamente. - Speak more slowly