Milestone 11: Commands

What You Can Do Now

You control the full command system in Spanish.

You can:

• give direct instructions -> Habla
• give formal commands -> Hable
• include yourself -> Hablemos
• forbid actions -> No hables

The Two Systems

1. Affirmative Commands

Used to tell someone to do something.

• Habla más despacio
• Come aquí
• Sal ahora

2. Negative Commands

Used to tell someone NOT to do something.

• No hables
• No comas
• No salgas

Core Difference

Subjects Overview

Key Insight

Commands combine:

• present tense patterns
• subjunctive forms

This makes them a synthesis of previous knowledge.

Full System Overview

Affirmative Formation

Negative Formation

• no + subjunctive (ALL forms)

Pronoun Placement

Affirmative

Pronouns attach:

• dímelo
• cómpralo
• levántate

Negative

Pronouns go before:

• no me lo digas
• no lo compres
• no te levantes

Irregular Tú Commands

Nosotros Commands

• Hablemos
• No hablemos

Special case:

• Vámonos (let's go)

Common Mistakes

• mixing forms -> *no habla* ❌
• wrong pronoun placement -> *hablame* ❌ instead of háblame

Pattern Recognition

Cognitive Model

Commands = action direction

Affirmative -> direct Negative -> controlled / restricted

Final Insight

Commands reuse:

• present tense
• subjunctive

This makes them easier once previous systems are mastered.

Summary

1. two command systems 2. negative always uses subjunctive 3. pronoun position changes 4. irregular tú forms important

This milestone completes the command system.