How to use The imperative mood in Spanish

Learn how to use The imperative mood, and what to use it for in Spanish.
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The imperative mood

The conjugation of -ar, -er and -ir verbs in the imperative mood:

Trabajar en
(tú) trabaja
(usted) trabaje
(nosotros/as) trabajemos
(vosotros/as) trabajad
(ustedes) trabajen
Comer en
(tú) come
(usted) coma
(nosotros/as) comamos
(vosotros/as) comed
(ustedes) coman
Escribir en
(tú) escribe
(usted) escriba
(nosotros/as) escribamos
(vosotros/as) escribid
(ustedes) escriban

The imperative is used to:

  • Give orders and make requests:

Recoge tu habitación ahora mismo.

Clean up your room right now.

Limpiad los platos después de comer.

Wash the dishes when you’re done eating.

Abre la ventana por favor, tengo calor.

Please open the window; I’m hot.

  • Give instructions, advice, and recommendations:

Gira a la derecha.

Turn right.

Apaguen el teléfono.

Turn off your phones.

Comed más fruta.

Eat more fruit.

Note: we use these forms of the verb to give positive instructions or orders. To give negative ones, we use the subjunctive instead.

No trabajes. trabajar, subj. presente

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