Usted and Ustedes Commands

Since the pronoun usted is specifically used to demonstrate respect, it's especially important to remember to use the correct form if you wish to command someone whom you would address using usted.

Usted and ustedes commands are created like negative commands and are used for both affirmative and negative commands.

To create an usted command, remember the mantra: form of yo, drop the – o, add the opposite ending. Think of the present tense yo form of the verb you want to make into an usted command, then drop the – o ending and add the él, ella, or usted ending normally used for the opposite kind of verb. For an – ar verb, use – e, and for an – er or – ir verb, use – a. Table 1 shows the endings for usted and ustedes commands.

 

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