A2 Spanish grammar

Usted and Ustedes Commands for Polite Spanish Instructions

Use usted commands for one formally addressed listener and ustedes commands for several listeners. Learn these as practical command forms at A2 without opening the full subjunctive system yet.

usted and ustedes commands: Address one person formally

Common usted commands use forms such as hable, coma, escriba, haga, vaya, and diga.

Pase, por favor.
Come in, please.Pase addresses one person politely.

Quick check

Speak more slowly, please. (usted)

Address several people with ustedes

Plural commands use forms such as hablen, coman, escriban, hagan, vayan, and digan.

Esperen aquí, por favor.
Wait here, please.Esperen addresses several listeners.

Choose a form that fits the register

Use tú for one informal listener, usted for one formal listener, and ustedes for multiple listeners across regions.

Señora, firme aquí. Chicos, firmen aquí.
Ma'am, sign here. Everyone, sign here.Firme is singular formal; firmen is plural.

Common mistakes

Pasas, señor.

Pase, señor.

Use the usted command in a formal interaction.

Ustedes espera aquí.

Ustedes esperen aquí.

A plural command needs the ustedes form.

Use the same command for every audience.

Match the command to the listener or listeners.

Person and social register affect the form.

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Usted and ustedes commands FAQ

What does usted and ustedes commands cover?

Use usted commands for one formally addressed listener and ustedes commands for several listeners. Learn these as practical command forms at A2 without opening the full subjunctive system yet.

What is the first rule to remember?

Common usted commands use forms such as hable, coma, escriba, haga, vaya, and diga.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Plural commands use forms such as hablen, coman, escriban, hagan, vayan, and digan.

How can I practise usted and ustedes commands?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

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