Usted and Ustedes Commands

Usted and ustedes commands are created like negative tú commands, and are used for both affirmative and negative commands. To create an usted command: 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, usted ending normally used for the opposite kind of verb.

If it ends in -AR for usted add -E.
If it ends in -AR for ustedes add -EN.

If it ends in -ER or -IR for usted add -A.
If it ends in -ER or -IR for ustedes add -AN.

The Impersonal Se!

Impersonal expressions are used when the subject of a verb is unspecified. They are mostly used when something is done to the subject.

Steps on how to formulate one! :

1.) Determine what verb you want to use.

2.) Conjugate the verb into the usted form, whether it's singular or plural.

3.) Add "se" before the verb.

Preterite

Here are some examples of situations where a sentence is used in the past and how you can detect it. When reading these examples, observe certain key words that demonstrate an action done in the past. These words are either in the past tense or describe something done in the past.


Example 1:


A noise woke Sarah.

KEY WORD(s): Woke

The verb WOKE is in the past therefore the verb is PRETERITE. The action is done with and finished.

Another situation... Sarah walked down the hall to the peculier sound.

KEY WORD(s): Walked

the verb Walked is in the past therfore the verb is PRETERITE. It is over and done with as well.

Last Example: As Sarah turned the hall, she saw her cat, Muffin who licked the milk out of the tipped over bowl.

KEY WORD(s): Turned
Saw
Licked
Tipped

All of these verbs are done i the past and therefore PRETERITE as well!
These key verns help you indicate whether its Imperfect or Preterite.

Reciprocal Actions in Spanish

Sometimes the reflexive pronouns se and nos are used to express the idea "to each other." These are called reciprocal actions.

For Example: (English)
- The bride and groom were hugging each other.
- We usually greeted each other with a hug.

Por Ejemplo: (Spanish)
-Los novios se abrazaban.
- Por lo general nos saludábamos con un abrazo.

Preterite Vs. Imperfect!!!

The Spanish language has two tenses: Preterite and Imperfect.
In spanish there are verbs that end in -ar, -er, and -ir.
To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite, you drop the -ar and simply add one of these endings:
-é
-aste
-ó
-amos
-asteis
-aron
To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect, you drop the -ar and add one of these endings:
-aba
-abas
-aba
-ábamos
-abais
-aban
The preterite from is used for actions in the past that are completed. While imperfect is used for actions in the past that are not completed.

Preterite:
- Emily rode in her hovercraft from 1 pm to 3 pm.
-(This sentence has a clear beginning and end.)
Imperfect:
- Her friends used to ride with her.
- (This sentence has no definite beginning or end.)

Irregular Preterite Conjugation!

If you want to speak to someone in the past you use the preterite form. These forms are used to describe an action or event that is over or done with.
The endings for irregular preterite are:
-e
-iste
-ió
-imos
-isteis
-ieron

For example: (English)
- Skittles fell out of the sky.
- Ren and Stimpy took out the trash.
- Scooby chased the ghost out of the mansion.

Por Ejemplo: (Spanish)
- Bolos cayó del cielo.
- Ren y Stimpy sacó la basura.
- Scooby persiguió el fantasma de la mansión.