Regular -ir Verbs in Spanish Affirmative Commands

Affirmative commands, or imperatives, in Spanish are your way to give direct orders or instructions. For regular -ir verbs, forming these commands is simple and follows clear patterns. Let’s dive in and discover how to give commands like a native speaker!

How to Form Affirmative Commands

There are three main ways to form affirmative commands with regular -ir verbs, depending on who you’re addressing:

  1. Tú Commands (Informal): Use the third-person singular form of the present indicative tense. For example, “vivir” (to live) becomes “vive” (live!).
  2. Usted/Ustedes Commands (Formal): Use the present subjunctive forms. For “vivir,” this is “viva” (live!) for “usted” (singular) and “vivan” (live!) for “ustedes” (plural).
  3. Vosotros Commands (Informal, Plural, Spain): Replace the “-ir” ending with “-id.” For “vivir,” this is “vivid” (live!).

Examples with Common -ir Verbs

Let’s see how this works with three common -ir verbs:

Escribir (to write)

  • Tú: escribe (write!)
  • Usted: escriba (write!)
  • Ustedes: escriban (write!)
  • Vosotros: escribid (write!)

Abrir (to open)

  • Tú: abre (open!)
  • Usted: abra (open!)
  • Ustedes: abran (open!)
  • Vosotros: abrid (open!)

Decidir (to decide)

  • Tú: decide (decide!)
  • Usted: decida (decide!)
  • Ustedes: decidan (decide!)
  • Vosotros: decidid (decide!)

Choosing the Right Command: Context Matters

  • Tú: Use for informal situations with friends, family, or people you know well.
  • Usted: Use for formal situations, when addressing strangers, elders, or people in positions of authority.
  • Ustedes: Use for addressing groups in Latin America and in formal situations in Spain.
  • Vosotros: Use for addressing groups of people informally in Spain.

Important Notes

  • Regularity is Key: These rules apply only to regular -ir verbs. Irregular verbs may have different patterns.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Regular practice will help you master these conjugations and use them naturally in conversations.

Beyond Regular Verbs

While this guide focuses on regular -ir verbs, it’s important to note that Spanish has many irregular verbs. Be sure to consult a comprehensive verb guide for those exceptions!

Synonyms:

  • English: Regular -IR Verbs in Imperative Mood, Positive Commands, Direct Commands, Affirmative Imperatives
  • Spanish: Verbos Regulares en -IR en Imperativo Afirmativo, Modo Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, Órdenes Afirmativas

Related topics:

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