Spanish
Grade 7
15 min
Mandatos con usted/ustedes
Mandatos con usted/ustedes
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify when to use a formal command versus an informal one.
Form regular affirmative and negative commands for usted and ustedes.
Apply spelling changes for -car, -gar, and -zar verbs in formal commands.
Conjugate the five most common irregular verbs in the formal command form (dar, ir, ser, estar, saber).
Construct simple sentences giving polite instructions to an adult or a group.
Differentiate between the singular (usted) and plural (ustedes) command forms.
Imagine you need to ask your principal to sign a paper. How would you politely tell them, 'Sign here, please'? ✍️ Let's learn how to give respectful commands in Spanish!
This lesson teaches you how to form 'mandatos formales' (formal commands), which are used to give orde...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Mandato (Command)A verb form used to give an order, instruction, or suggestion directly to someone.¡Hable más despacio! (Speak more slowly!)
Formal (Usted/Ustedes)A respectful way of addressing someone. Use 'usted' (Ud.) for one person and 'ustedes' (Uds.) for a group of people you would treat with respect.Señor Pérez, usted es muy amable. / Señores, ustedes pueden pasar.
Infinitivo (Infinitive)The basic, unconjugated form of a verb. In Spanish, infinitives always end in -ar, -er, or -ir.hablar, comer, escribir
Presente de Subjuntivo (Present Subjunctive)A special verb mood. Formal commands use the same verb forms as the present subjunctive.The command 'hable' comes from the present subjunctive form of 'hablar'.
Verbos con camb...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The 'Yo-Drop-Swap' Formula
1. Start with the infinitive. 2. Conjugate it to the 'yo' form in the present tense. 3. Drop the '-o'. 4. Add the 'opposite' ending: '-e' for -ar verbs, '-a' for -er/-ir verbs.
This is the main pattern for creating singular (usted) formal commands. To make it plural (ustedes), simply add an '-n' to the end of the command.
Spelling Changes: -car, -gar, -zar
For verbs ending in -car, -gar, or -zar, you must make a spelling change before adding the command ending. c -> qu / g -> gu / z -> c
This rule is necessary to preserve the hard 'c' and 'g' sounds and the 's' sound of the 'z'. This happens because the new ending starts with '...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
You are in a library with your classmates, and the librarian, Sr. Ruiz, sees you talking loudly. He wants to tell all of you to be quiet. He would use the verb 'callarse'. What is the most appropriate command he would give?
A.Cállate
B.Cállense
C.Cállese
D.Callan
Challenging
A teacher is leading a group of students on a field trip to a dangerous area. She wants to tell them, "Don't go there!" using the verb 'ir'. What should she say?
A.No van allí.
B.No vais allí.
C.No vaya allí.
D.No vayan allí.
Challenging
Which of the following verbs does NOT form its formal command by using the 'Yo-Drop-Swap' rule on its present tense 'yo' form?
A.Ser (yo soy)
B.Traer (yo traigo)
C.Conducir (yo conduzco)
D.Oír (yo oigo)
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