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All 14 Flashcards — Commands
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Question
l'impératif
Answer
the imperative — the command form («do this!»); only three forms: tu, nous, vous
Question
parler → impératif (tu)
Answer
Parle ! (speak! — drop «tu» AND the final -s of an -er verb)
Question
finir → impératif (tu)
Answer
Finis ! (finish! — -ir verbs keep the -s)
Question
parler → impératif (nous)
Answer
Parlons ! (let's speak! — the «nous» command)
Question
parler → impératif (vous)
Answer
Parlez ! (speak! — formal or plural)
Question
Negative imperative
Answer
Wrap « ne … pas » around the verb: «Ne parle pas !», «N'oublie pas !»
Question
Reflexive imperative (affirmative)
Answer
Pronoun attaches with a hyphen, te → toi: «Lève-toi !», «Dépêchons-nous !»
Question
Reflexive imperative (negative)
Answer
Pronoun goes BEFORE the verb: «Ne te lève pas !», «Ne nous dépêchons pas !»
Question
être / avoir / aller → impératif
Answer
sois/soyons/soyez · aie/ayons/ayez · va/allons/allez (irregulars to learn by heart)
Question
aller → impératif (tu) + «vas-y»
Answer
Va ! (go!) — but keep the -s before y/en for liaison: «Vas-y !», «Manges-en !»
Question
How is the imperative formed?
Answer
Take the present tu/nous/vous forms and DROP the subject pronoun; -er «tu» commands also drop the final -s.
Question
Why do you write «Mange !» but «Finis !»?
Answer
-er verbs drop the final -s in the «tu» command (manges → Mange), but -ir/-re verbs keep it (Finis, Prends).
Question
Where does the pronoun go with commands?
Answer
Attached with a hyphen after an affirmative (Lève-toi !, Donne-le-moi) but before a negative (Ne te lève pas !).
Question
What is a common imperative error?
Answer
Keeping the subject pronoun (tu parle), forgetting the dropped -s (manges), wrong pronoun placement, or using the infinitive as a command (Fermer instead of Ferme).
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Full study notes for Commands
Topic 3.3 hub
Future, conditional & mood
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French B exam skills
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