Formal commands

Formal commands with "usted"

To give a command to someone you address formally as usted, start with the present yo form, drop the final -o, and add the opposite vowel:

• For -ar verbs, add -e.
• For -er and -ir verbs, add -a.

Attach object and reflexive pronouns directly to the end of affirmative commands. Add an accent to the original stressed vowel to keep the pronunciation consistent (like siéntese from sentarse).

Plural commands with "ustedes"

For groups of people (ustedes), just add -n to the usted command form.

Spelling changes: -car, -gar, -zar

Verbs ending in -car, -gar, and -zar have a spelling change in their formal command forms to keep the pronunciation consistent:

• -car becomes -que or -quen (e.g., tocar -> toque)
• -gar becomes -gue or -guen (e.g., pagar -> pague)
• -zar becomes -ce or -cen (e.g., empezar -> empiece)

Attaching double pronouns

When attaching two pronouns—like an indirect object (se) and a direct object (lo or la)—add them in that exact order and include an accent on the verb's original stressed vowel.