Lesson 4 Usage and Grammar

Forms of Address—Informal, Formal, Singular, Plural

English only has one form of address—You. Spanish has three.

Tú—You (informal). We use this to address one person with whom we are on a first-name basis.

Usted (abbreviated Ud.)—You (formal). We use this to address one person with whom we are on a last-name basis.

Ustedes (abbreviated Uds.)—You all. Used to address a group of people.

Each form of address requires a different form of the verb.

Tú declaras los impuestos. You (informal) declare taxes.

Usted declara los impuestos. You (formal) declare taxes.

Ustedes declaran los impuestos. You all declare taxes.

Each form of address requires a different command also.

For now, we will memorize the different command forms. There is a system for forming commands, but for now we will memorize them.

Tú Commands Ven Mira Ten cuidado Trae Entra Espera Tira

Come Look Have caution Bring Enter Wait Throw

Usted Commands Venga Mire Tenga cuidado Traiga Entre Espere Tire

Come Look Have caution Bring Enter Wait Throw

Ustedes Commands Vengan Miren Tengan cuidado Traigan Entren Esperen Tiren

Come Look Have caution Bring Enter Wait Throw