Spanish affirmative commands, or direct orders, with verbs ending in -GER and -GIR require a special spelling change: ‘g’ transforms into ‘j’. This ensures the original sound of the verb is maintained while following Spanish spelling rules.
Conjugation Pattern for Affirmative Commands
For affirmative commands, we use the present subjunctive form for all persons except ‘tú’, which uses the third-person singular of the present indicative.
| Person | Ending |
|---|---|
| tú | -ge/-gi |
| usted | -ja |
| nosotros | -jamos |
| vosotros | -ged/-gid |
| ustedes | -jan |
Example Verbs
1. Coger (to take, to catch)
| Person | Command Form |
|---|---|
| tú | coge |
| usted | coja |
| nosotros | cojamos |
| vosotros | coged |
| ustedes | cojan |
Example sentence: “Coge el libro de la mesa.” (Take the book from the table.)
2. Elegir (to choose)
| Person | Command Form |
|---|---|
| tú | elige |
| usted | elija |
| nosotros | elijamos |
| vosotros | elegid |
| ustedes | elijan |
Example sentence: “Elijan un representante para el grupo.” (Choose a representative for the group.)
Other Common -GER and -GIR Verbs
- Proteger (to protect)
- Example: “Proteja sus ojos del sol.” (Protect your eyes from the sun.)
- Corregir (to correct)
- Example: “Corrijamos los errores juntos.” (Let’s correct the errors together.)
- Recoger (to pick up, to collect)
- Example: “Recoge tus juguetes antes de cenar.” (Pick up your toys before dinner.)
- Dirigir (to direct, to lead)
- Example: “Dirija el proyecto con cuidado.” (Direct the project carefully.)
Key takeaway: This spelling change only occurs when the ‘g’ would be followed by ‘a’ or ‘o’. The ‘tú’ and ‘vosotros’ forms keep the original ‘g’ spelling because they’re followed by ‘e’ or ‘i’.
By mastering this simple rule, you can confidently give commands with -GER and -GIR verbs, ensuring clear communication and demonstrating your grasp of Spanish grammar nuances. ¡Sigue practicando!
Synonyms:
- English: -GER and -GIR Spelling-Change Verbs in Imperative Mood, Positive Commands, Direct Commands, Affirmative Imperatives
- Spanish: Verbos en -GER and -GIR con Cambios Ortográficos en Imperativo Afirmativo, Modo Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, Órdenes Afirmativas