1. Formal Commands

2. Review: Informal Commands
You have already learned how to form affirmative and negative informal commands. These commands are used with people you know and are familiar with.
For affirmative informal commands, you put the verb in the tu form and drop the s.
For negative informal commands, you put the verb in the yo form and drop the o. If it is an ar verb you add es, if it’s an er/ir verb you add as. Then you put no in front of command.

3. Formal Commands
To tell someone you address as usted to do something, use formal commands.
To construct formal commands, replace the final o of the yo form of the verb in the present tense with e for ar verbs and a for er and ir verbs.

4. Formal Commands Infinitive Present Tense Yo Form Formal Command
Comprar
(to buy)
Compro
(I buy)
Compre
(Buy)
Comer
(to eat)
Como
(I eat)
Coma
(Eat)
Abrir
(to open)
Abro
(I open)
Abra
(Open)

5. Negative Formal Commands
If you want to tell someone you address as usted not to do something, simply put the word no in front of the formal command.
Barra el piso Sweep the floor.
No barra el piso Don’t sweep the floor.

6. Spelling Change Formal Commands
Verbs that end in car, gar, zar, ger and guir have spelling changes in their formal command forms.
Infinitive
Affirmative Formal Command
Negative Formal Command
Sacar (to take out)
Saque (take out)
No saque (don’t take out)
Llegar (to arrive)
Llegue (arrive)
No llegue (don’t arrive)
Organizar
(to organize)
Organice (organize)
No organice (don’t organize)
Recoger (to pick up)
Recoja (pick up)
No recoja (don’t pick up)
Seguir * (e to i)
(to keep going)
Siga (keep going)
No siga (don’t keep going)

7. More than one person...
To tell two or more people to do or not to do something, add n to the formal command form.
Chico, abra la ventana, por favor.
Chicos, abran la ventana por favor.
Alfredo, no llegue tarde.
Alfredo y Maria, no lleguen tarde.

8. Formal Commands & Directions
Commands are often used when giving directions/instructions. Here are some useful verbs for giving someone directions/instructions.
Cortar la zanahorias. To cut the carrots.
Corte las zanahorias.
Cut the carrrots
Deretir la mantequilla. To melt the butter.
Dereta la mantequilla.
Melt the butter.

9. Formal Commands & Directions
Mezclar los ingredientes. To mix the ingredients.
Mezcle los ingredientes.
Mix the ingredients.
Hornear durante….minutos. To bake for…minutes.
Hornee durante 35 minutes.
Bake for 35 minutes.

10. Practica
Form formal commands using the verb in parenthesis. Then translate the command to English.
1. _________ las cebollas. (cortar)
2. _________ durante cuarenta y cinco minutos. (hornear)
3. _________la mantequilla y el azucar. (mezclar)
4. __________ las zanahorias. (picar-to chop)