A2.38 - Job interview

Affirmative informal imperative: "Usted" y "Ustedes"

Imperativo afirmativo informal: "Usted" y "Ustedes"

Formas informales para dar órdenes o consejos.

(Informal forms to give orders or advice.)

When do you use this form? (Formal commands)

Use this grammar to give an order, instruction, or professional advice to:

  • Usted = one person (formal: client, candidate, manager)
  • Ustedes = several people (formal/plural: team, candidates)

Typical context: emails, interviews, workplace instructions, customer service.

The key rule: it uses the present subjunctive

The formal imperative is not a special tense. It is:

  • Usted → 3rd person singular of the present subjunctive
  • Ustedes → 3rd person plural of the present subjunctive
Infinitive Usted (formal) Ustedes (formal plural)
hablar hable hablen
contratar contrate contraten
presentarse preséntese preséntense

How to build it fast (2 steps you can reuse)

  1. Start from yo in the present:

    • hablo, contrato, me presento

  2. Drop the -o and add the opposite endings:

    • -ar verbs → e / en: hable, hablen; contrate, contraten
    • -er / -ir verbs → a / an: responda, respondan; escriba, escriban

Pronouns: where do “se / me / lo” go?

With affirmative formal commands, pronouns go attached to the end:

  • Presente + se → Preséntese (Present yourself)
  • Envíe + me → Envíeme el CV (Send me your CV)
  • Explique + lo → Explíquelo con un ejemplo (Explain it with an example)

Note: accents may appear to keep pronunciation: presente → preséntese, explique → explíqueme.

Common mistakes to avoid (quick fixes)

  • Mixing tú and usted:

    Habla con Recursos Humanos. → Hable con Recursos Humanos. (formal)

  • Singular vs plural:

    To one person: Hable… / To a group: Hablen…

  • Wrong word order with “se”:

    Se presente a las nueve. → Preséntese a las nueve.

Self-check: can you produce the form?

  • 1) Choose who: Usted (one) or Ustedes (group)

  • 2) Find the verb type: -ar or -er/-ir

  • 3) Build the subjunctive: -ar → e/en, -er/-ir → a/an

  • 4) Attach pronouns (affirmative): preséntese, envíeme, díganos

If you can do these 4 steps, you can give clear formal instructions in professional Spanish.

  1. For usted, use the 3rd person singular of the subjunctive.
  2. For ustedes, use the 3rd person plural of the subjunctive.
Persona (Person)Formación (Formation)Ejemplo (Example)
Usted (You (formal))HableHable con los recursos humanos. (Speak with Human Resources.)
Ustedes (You (plural, formal))HablenHable con la jefa antes de firmar el contrato. (Speak with the boss before signing the contract.)
Usted (You (formal))ContrateContrate al candidato ideal. (Hire the ideal candidate.)
Ustedes  (You (plural, formal))ContratenContraten personal para la vacante. (Hire staff for the vacancy.)
Usted (You (formal))PreséntesePreséntese en la entrevista a las 9. (Introduce yourself at the interview at 9.)
Ustedes  (You (plural, formal))PreséntensePreséntense con traje. (Introduce yourselves in a suit.)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Por favor, ______ con recursos humanos antes de firmar el contrato.

Please ______ with human resources before signing the contract.

2. En la entrevista, ______ con traje y corbata.

In the interview, ______ wearing a suit and tie.

3. Antes del período de prueba, ______ a una persona disponible para la vacante.

Before the trial period, ______ someone available for the vacancy.

4. Por favor, ______ con la jefa sobre el salario y los beneficios.

Please ______ with the boss about the salary and benefits.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Speak formally: rewrite each sentence as an order or piece of advice for you (singular formal) or you (plural), using the formal imperative (subjunctive). Example: 'Hablar con Recursos Humanos.' → 'Hable con Recursos Humanos.'

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  1. Hint Hint (Usted) Señor García, hablar con Recursos Humanos antes de firmar el contrato.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Señor García, hable con Recursos Humanos antes de firmar el contrato.
    (Mr. García, talk to Human Resources before signing the contract.)
  2. Hint Hint (Ustedes) Señores, hablar con la jefa hoy, por favor.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Señores, hablen con la jefa hoy, por favor.
    (Gentlemen, talk to the boss today, please.)
  3. Hint Hint (Usted) Señora López, contratar al candidato ideal para el puesto.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Señora López, contrate al candidato ideal para el puesto.
    (Mrs. López, hire the ideal candidate for the position.)
  4. Hint Hint (Ustedes) Equipo, contratar personal para la vacante esta semana.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Equipo, contraten personal para la vacante esta semana.
    (Team, hire staff for the opening this week.)

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