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Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"

Learn how to give orders in a formal way.

Gramática: Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"

A2 Spanish Imperative affirmative formal

Level: A2

Module 1: Viajar: ¡A lo desconocido! (Travelling: into the wild!)

Lesson 4: En el aeropuerto y en el avión. (At the airport and in the plane.)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

Audio with translations
Audio with translations

  1. For the formal imperative of "usted", change the ending to "-e" for verbs ending in "-ar" and to "-a" for verbs ending in "-er" and "-ir".
  2. For "ustedes", change the ending to "-en" for "-ar" verbs and to "-an" for "-er" and "-ir" verbs.
  3. It is frequently used in formal situations to give instructions.
  4. In the affirmative imperative, reflexive pronouns go after the verb, forming a word with it. For example: "Abróchese el cinturón de seguridad."
PronombreImperativoEjemplo
UstedFactureFacture sus maletas en el mostrador de la aerolínea. (Check in your suitcases at the airline counter.)
AbrócheseAbróchese el cinturón de seguridad, por favor. (Fasten your seatbelt, please.)
SigaSiga al piloto hacia el control de seguridad. (Follow the pilot to the security control.)
UstedesFacturenFacturen sus maletas en el mostrador. (Check in your suitcases at the counter.)
AbróchenseAbróchense los cinturones de seguridad antes de despegar. (Fasten your seat belts before takeoff.)
SiganSigan las instrucciones del aeropuerto con atención. (Follow the airport instructions carefully.)

Exceptions!

  1. There are some irregular imperatives. For example: "seguir - (usted) siga".
  2. An accent is often placed on the verb in the imperative form with pronouns. For example: "abrocharse - (usted) abróchese".

Exercise 1: Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Siga, Escuchen, Abróchense, Sigan, Escuche, Facture, Póngase, Muestre

1. Seguir (Uds):
... estas personas para facturar.
(Follow these people to invoice.)
2. Seguir (Ud):
... a la azafata hacia la puerta.
(Follow the stewardess to the door.)
3. Abrocharse (Uds):
... los cinturones en este momento.
(Fasten your seatbelts at this moment.)
4. Esuchar (Ud):
... las instrucciones del piloto.
(Listen to the pilot's instructions.)
5. Escuchar (Uds):
... las instrucciones del piloto en todo momento.
(Listen to the pilot's instructions at all times.)
6. Ponerse (Ud):
... cómodo durante el vuelo.
(Make yourself comfortable during the flight.)
7. Mostrar (Ud):
... el pasaporte a la azafata antes de ir al avión.
(Show the passport to the flight attendant before going to the plane.)
8. Facturar (Ud):
... sus maletas antes de ir al control de seguridad.
(Check in your luggage before going to security control.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

Facture

Check in your bags before going to the security check.

2

Siga

Follow

3

Abróchense

Fasten your

4

Escuchen

Listen

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