Formal Commands: Mastering Polite Requests

Mastering Polite Requests

Learn how to use formal commands to make polite requests in various situations.

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

Multiple Choice

What are formal commands used for?

• Making polite requests

• Giving orders

• Expressing opinions

• Asking questions

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.

Formal Commands

Usted Commands

Multiple Choice

Call. (llamar)

• llama

• llame

• no llame

• no llames

Multiple Choice

Don't call. (llamar)

• llama

• llame

• no llame

• no llames

Multiple Choice

Walk. (caminar)

• camina

• camine

• camines

• caminas

Multiple Choice

Leave. (salir)

• sal

• salga

• salgue

• sale

Multiple Choice

Speak Spanish. (hablar)

• Habla español.

• Hable español.

• Hables español.

• Hablas español.

Multiple Choice

pagar (ustedes) _____

• page
• paguen
• pague
• pago

Multiple Choice

Eat. (comer)

• coma

• come

• comes

• comas

Multiple Choice

Don't speak English. (hablar)

• No hables ingles.

• No hable ingles.

• No habla ingles.

• No hablas ingles.

Multiple Choice

Organize your clothes. (organizar)

• Organiza su ropa.

• Organice su ropa.

• Organize su ropa.

• Organicce su ropa.

Multiple Choice

Dance. (bailar)

• baile

• bailes

• baila

• bailas

Multiple Choice

Don't dance. (bailar)

• No baila.

• No baile.

• No bailis.

• No dance.

Multiple Choice

Comer (Ustedes)

• Coman
• Comen
• Cuemen
• Cueman

Multiple Choice

Decir (Ustedes)

• digan

• diga

• dica

• dicen

Formal 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

• 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.

Ar verbs

• Find the yo form of the verb

• For example Yo hablo

• Then drop the -o and add an -e

• ¡Hable! 

Er Verbs

• Find the Yo form of the verb

• For example Yo como

• Then drop the -o and add an -a

• ¡Coma!

Ir Verbs

• 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

Multiple Choice

Planchar la ropa.

• Planche

• Plancha

Multiple Choice

Barrer el piso

• Barra el piso

• Barre el piso

Multiple Choice

Pasar la aspiradora

• Pasa

• Pase

Multiple Choice

Cocinar

• Cocine

• Cocina

Multiple Choice

Lavar el carro

• Lava

• Lave

Multiple Choice

Arreglar los dormitorios

• Arregle

• Arregla