A Spanish command identifies who should act
English can use the same bare verb for “Speak,” whether you address one friend or a whole group. Spanish changes the command according to the listener, the level of formality, and whether you are telling them to do something or not to do it.
Habla más despacio.
“Speak more slowly.” This is an affirmative command to one familiar listener.
No hables tan rápido.
“Don’t speak so quickly.” Negative familiar commands use the present subjunctive form.
Affirmative tú is the exception worth isolating
Regular affirmative tú
Use the third-person singular present form: habla, come, escribe.
Negative and formal commands
Build from the present subjunctive: no hables, hable, hablen.
| Listener | Affirmative hablar | Negative hablar |
|---|---|---|
| tú | habla | no hables |
| usted | hable | no hable |
| vosotros | hablad | no habléis |
| ustedes | hablen | no hablen |
Memorise the short affirmative tú set
di · haz · ve · pon · sal · sé · ten · ven
These are the affirmative familiar commands for decir, hacer, ir, poner, salir, ser, tener, and venir. Their negative forms return to the subjunctive pattern: no digas, no hagas, no vayas.
In normal Spanish, object and reflexive pronouns can attach to affirmative commands and change spelling or accents. The current focused drill practises plain command forms without attached pronouns.
Identify the listener and polarity first
Tú, ___ la verdad. (decir · affirmative)
Say or form the answer before you check it.
Ustedes, no ___ aquí. (venir · negative)
Say or form the answer before you check it.
Practise Spanish command forms
Now practise plain command forms
The drill supplies the command category, verb, and listener. Produce the exact affirmative or negative form; attached pronouns are outside this activity.