Learn how to form the formal affirmative imperative in Spanish using "usted" and "ustedes", with key verbs like "hable" (speak), "contrate" (hire), and "preséntese" (introduce yourself) to give polite commands or advice.
- For usted, use the 3rd person singular of the subjunctive.
- For ustedes, use the 3rd person plural of the subjunctive.
| Persona (Person) | Formación (Formation) | Ejemplo (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Usted (You) | Hable | Hable con los recursos humanos. (Speak with human resources.) |
| Ustedes (You) | Hablen | Hable con la jefa antes de firmar el contrato. (Speak with the boss before signing the contract.) |
| Usted (You) | Contrate | Contrate al candidato ideal. (Hire the ideal candidate.) |
| Ustedes (You (plural)) | Contraten | Contraten personal para la vacante. (Hire staff for the vacancy.) |
| Usted (You) | Preséntese | Preséntese en la entrevista a las 9. (Present yourself at the interview at 9.) |
| Ustedes (You (plural)) | Preséntense | Preséntense con traje. (Present yourselves in a suit.) |
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.
(Esperen en recepción.)
2.
Firmar: usted:
... los documentos.
(Firme los documentos.)
3.
Contratar: ustedes:
... solo personal cualificado.
(Contraten solo personal cualificado.)
4.
Confirmar: ustedes:
... su disponibilidad por correo.
(Confirmen su disponibilidad por correo.)
5.
Preguntar: ustedes:
... todo lo necesario antes de firmar.
(Pregunten todo lo necesario antes de firmar.)
6.
Presentarse: usted:
... a la entrevista.
(Preséntese a la entrevista.)
7.
Firmar: ustedes:
... después de revisar.
(Firmen después de revisar.)
8.
Hablar: usted:
... en la presentación.
(Hable en la presentación.)
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 the formal imperative for 'usted'; the subjunctive must be used.
2.
'Habla' is an informal imperative for 'tú,' not for 'usted'.
'Hablé' is in the preterite, not the imperative.
3.
The reflexive pronoun 'se' is missing, which is necessary for the pronominal verb 'presentarse'.
This form is singular, which is incorrect if the order is for several people.
4.
This form is for singular 'usted', not for plural 'ustedes'.
'Contratas' is present indicative for 'tú', not the formal imperative for 'ustedes'.