Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes
Learn how to give formal commands in Spanish using the affirmative imperative with "usted" and "ustedes." Master key verbs like "Hable" (Speak), "Contrate" (Hire), and "Preséntese" (Introduce yourself) to politely give orders or advice.
- For usted, use the 3rd person singular of the subjunctive.
- For ustedes, use the 3rd person plural of the subjunctive.
| Persona | Formación | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| Usted | Hable | Hable con los recursos humanos. |
| Ustedes | Hablen | Hable con la jefa antes de firmar el contrato. |
| Usted | Contrate | Contrate al candidato ideal. |
| Ustedes | Contraten | Contraten personal para la vacante. |
| Usted | Preséntese | Preséntese en la entrevista a las 9. |
| Ustedes | Preséntense | Preséntense con traje. |
Exercise 1: Imperativo afirmativo informal: "Usted" y "Ustedes"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Confirmen, Hable, Firme, Contraten, Preséntese, Pregunten, Firmen, Esperen
1.
Esperar: ustedes:
... en recepción.
(Wait at reception.)
2.
Firmar: usted:
... los documentos.
(Sign the documents.)
3.
Contratar: ustedes:
... solo personal cualificado.
(Hire only qualified personnel.)
4.
Confirmar: ustedes:
... su disponibilidad por correo.
(Confirm your availability by email.)
5.
Preguntar: ustedes:
... todo lo necesario antes de firmar.
(Ask everything necessary before signing.)
6.
Presentarse: usted:
... a la entrevista.
(Introduce yourself at the interview.)
7.
Firmar: ustedes:
... después de revisar.
(Sign after reviewing.)
8.
Hablar: usted:
... en la presentación.
(Speak in the presentation.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct option to complete the sentence with the formal affirmative imperative in "usted" or "ustedes", as appropriate. Pay attention to the correct conjugation of the present subjunctive to give formal orders or advice.
1.
If the order is for one person (usted), 'contrate' must be used, not 'contraten'.
'Contrata' is in the indicative, not in the formal imperative for 'usted'; the subjunctive must be used.
2.
'Habla' is the informal imperative for 'tú', not for 'usted'.
'Hablé' is in the preterite, it is not imperative.
3.
The reflexive pronoun 'se' necessary for the pronominal verb 'presentarse' is missing.
This form is singular, incorrect if the order is for several.
4.
This form is for singular 'usted', not for plural 'ustedes'.
'Contratas' is in present indicative for 'tú', not in the formal imperative for 'ustedes'.