Spanish · Chapter 22 · Lesson 15 · Common mistake
habla or hable?
The polite command looks like the form for he or she, and the familiar one looks like a statement.
The rule
A tú command uses the plain third-person present: habla, come, escribe. An usted command uses the subjunctive: hable, coma, escriba. So the polite order looks like what you would say ABOUT someone, and the familiar order looks like a statement of fact - exactly the opposite way round from what learners expect.
Pick the right one
0/6Pick the right one: habla or hable.
Señor, más despacio, por favor.
Ana, conmigo un momento.
Por favor, usted con el director.
Oye, con él mañana.
Doctor, con mi madre.
Mamá, con ella.
The full lesson on this sits in the same chapter.
Read the full lesson