Confusion between commands, imperative and present subjunctive

There is often confusion between these terms when studying Spanish grammar: command, imperative and present subjunctive.

A command in Spanish

A command in Spanish is simply "an order" given to a person. An order (or sometimes just a suggestion) can be given in different ways in Spanish. One of these ways is by using the imperative forms. You can express a command in an affirmative way (e.g. "Go!") or a negative way, (e.g. "Don't go!"). Depending on whether it is affirmative or negative and also depending on who the order/suggestion is addressed to, we use different forms of the imperative. 

The imperative in Spanish

The imperative in Spanish is a mood. The imperative forms or conjugations must be studied by subject pronoun, as each different subject pronoun follows a different rule for their conjugations/endings. It is also important to note that the imperative conjugations are different for affirmative commands and negative commands. 

Here are all the imperative conjugations:

Imperative of tú for most verbs (affirmative commands)

Imperative of tú for all irregular verbs (irregular affirmative commands)

Imperative of vosotros for all verbs (affirmative commands)

Imperative of tú / vosotros/vosotras (negative commands)

Imperative for usted/ustedes / nosotros/nosotras (affirmative and negative commands)

Present Subjunctive conjugations in Spanish used for commands

Lessons with more detail on (Confusion between commands, imperative and present subjunctive)

• Using the infinitive to express a request/command/give instructions in Spanish
• Using preposition a + infinitive to express a command in Spanish
• Using the Spanish gerund as a command
• Using que + the present subjunctive in Spanish to to express a wish/command
• Using the Formal Pronominal Passive Imperative in orders/instructions in Spanish