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Commands with Regular Verbs by Ronald Glenn Wrigley, M.A.

Commands, or imperatives, are used to give orders or advice and, when written, are usually followed by an exclamation point. Command forms are limited mostly to the second-person subjects, and can be both formal and informal, though commands can also work with the noi form in Italian, as in Mangiamo! (Let's eat!). Look at the table below. What similarities and differences do you notice?

<tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <thead> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Present tense of mangiare</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Command of mangiare</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(io) mangio</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>---</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(tu) mangi</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Mangia!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Lei) mangia</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Mangi!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(noi) mangiamo</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Mangiamo!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(voi) mangiate</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Mangiate!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Loro) mangiano</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Mangino!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>Forming commands can be tricky, because in some cases the command form of a verb looks very similar to its present tense. In some cases, affirmative commands differ from negative commands. There are many possible combinations.</p> <table frame="all" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p>Affirmative <emphasis>tu</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>Negative <emphasis>tu</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>(you, singular, informal)</p></td> <td><p>(you, singular, informal)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>Affirmative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>Negative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>(you, singular, formal)</p></td> <td><p>(you, singular, formal)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>Affirmative <emphasis>noi</emphasis> (us)</p></td> <td><p>Negative <emphasis>noi</emphasis> (us)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>Affirmative <emphasis>voi</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>Negative <emphasis>voi</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>(you, plural, informal)</p></td> <td><p>(you, plural, informal)</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>Affirmative <emphasis>Loro</emphasis></p></td> <td><p>Negative <emphasis>Loro</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p>(you, plural, formal)</p></td> <td><p>(you, plural, formal)</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>We will work first with the affirmative <emphasis>tu, noi,</emphasis> and <emphasis>voi</emphasis> forms of regular verbs.</p> <table frame="all" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="4"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col3" colnum="3" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col4" colnum="4" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <thead> <tr> <td><p>parlare</p></td> <td><p>ripetere</p></td> <td><p>partire</p></td> <td><p>pulire</p></td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(tu)Parla!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Ripeti!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Parti!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Pulisci!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(noi)Parliamo!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Ripetiamo!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Partiamo!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Puliamo!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(voi)Parlate!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Ripetete!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Partite!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Pulite!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <h2>Exercise 18: Forming Informal Commands</h2> <p>Give the <emphasis>tu, noi,</emphasis> and <emphasis>voi</emphasis> forms of the following regular verbs.</p> <bridgehead>ascoltare</bridgehead> <p>(tu) </p> <p>(noi) </p> <p>(voi) </p> <bridgehead>prendere</bridgehead> <p>(tu) </p> <p>(noi) </p> <p>(voi) </p> <bridgehead>dormire</bridgehead> <p>(tu) </p> <p>(noi) </p> <p>(voi) </p> <bridgehead>finire</bridgehead> <p>(tu) </p> <p>(noi) </p> <p>(voi) </p> <h2>Exercise 19: Your New Coworker</h2> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/italian-practice/track.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p>TRACK 43</p></div> </div> <p>Listen to Track 43. Your new coworker asks for your advice to help him get acclimated to his new surroundings. Once you've listened to each question, listen again and write each question down. Then respond to his questions with an affirmative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> command, as in the example:</p> <p><emphasis>Dove posso mangiare? Mangia al ristorante Culinary Affair!</emphasis></p> <ul> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> </ul> <h2>Exercise 20: Now in the Plural</h2> <p>Give the same commands to two new coworkers. You will use the affirmative <emphasis>voi</emphasis> form.</p> <ul> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> </ul> <p>The following table shows the forms of the affirmative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis> (you, singular, formal) and <emphasis>Loro</emphasis> (you, plural, formal) commands:</p> <table frame="all" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="4"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col3" colnum="3" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col4" colnum="4" colwidth="25%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <thead> <tr> <td><p>parlare</p></td> <td><p>ripetere</p></td> <td><p>partire</p></td> <td><p>pulire</p></td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Lei)Parli!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Ripeta!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Parta!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Pulisca!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Loro)Parlino!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Ripetano!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Partano!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Puliscano!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <h2>Exercise 21: Forming Formal Commands</h2> <p>Give the <emphasis>Lei</emphasis> and <emphasis>Loro</emphasis> forms of the following regular verbs.</p> <bridgehead>ascoltare</bridgehead> <p><emphasis>(Lei)</emphasis> </p> <p><emphasis>(Loro)</emphasis> </p> <bridgehead>prendere</bridgehead> <p><emphasis>(Lei)</emphasis> </p> <p><emphasis>(Loro)</emphasis> </p> <bridgehead>dormire</bridgehead> <p><emphasis>(Lei)</emphasis> </p> <p><emphasis>(Loro)</emphasis> </p> <bridgehead>finire</bridgehead> <p><emphasis>(Lei)</emphasis> </p> <p><emphasis>(Loro)</emphasis> </p> <h2>Exercise 22: Your New Neighbor</h2> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/italian-practice/track.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p>TRACK 44</p></div> </div> <p>Listen to Track 44. Your new neighbor asks for your advice to help her get acclimated to her new surroundings. Once you've listened to each question, listen again and write each question down. Then respond to her questions with an affirmative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis> command, as in the example:</p> <p><emphasis>Dove posso comprare un giornale? Compri il giornale all'edicola!</emphasis></p> <ul> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> </ul> <h2>Exercise 23: Now in the Plural</h2> <p>Give the same commands to two new neighbors. You will use the affirmative <emphasis>Loro</emphasis> form.</p> <ul> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> <li><p></p></li> </ul> <p>The negative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> command is formed by the negative word <emphasis>non</emphasis> + infinitive, as in the following example:</p> <table frame="all" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <thead> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Affirmative tu Command</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Negative tu command</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Mangia!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangiare!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>All other forms (<emphasis>Lei, noi, voi, Loro</emphasis>) are made by placing the negative word <emphasis>non</emphasis> before the regular command forms, as in the following chart:</p> <table frame="all" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="center"/> <thead> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>Affirmative</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Negative</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(tu)Mangia!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangiare!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Lei)Mangi!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangi!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(noi)Mangiamo!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangiamo!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(voi)Mangiate!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangiate!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><emphasis>(Loro)Mangino!</emphasis></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Non mangino!</emphasis></p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <h2>Exercise 24: From Affirmative to Negative</h2> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/italian-practice/track.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p>TRACK 45</p></div> </div> <p>Listen to the commands as spoken by the speaker in Track 45. Repeat each command, then listen again and write each command. Rewrite the commands in the second space, changing them from the affirmative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> commands to the negative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> commands.</p> <ul> <li><p><emphasis>Compra il giornale!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Metti le chiavi sul tavolo!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Porta tuo fratello a scuola!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Finisci i tuoi compiti!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Dormi!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Bevi il caffè!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Presta la macchina a tuo fratello!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Sveglia i bambini alle otto!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> <li><p><emphasis>Prendi quel libro!</emphasis></p> <p></p> <p></p></li> </ul> <h2>Exercise 25: Forming Commands</h2> <p>How would you give the following commands?</p> <ul> <li><p>Negative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>pulire</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Affirmative <emphasis>noi</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>leggere</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Negative <emphasis>Loro</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>parcheggiare</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Negative <emphasis>voi</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>lasciare</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Affirmative <emphasis>tu</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>ascoltare</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Negative <emphasis>noi</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>aspettare</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Affirmative <emphasis>Loro</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>sentire</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Affirmative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>prendere</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> <li><p>Negative <emphasis>Lei</emphasis> command of the verb <emphasis>parlare</emphasis></p> <p></p></li> </ul> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a 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