Requests and commands
What do we want someone to do or stop doing?
Significado
Requests and commands try to get someone to do something or stop doing it. They range from a gentle request to a firm order. Languages may use special verb forms, question-shaped requests, small words, or tone; some have no separate command form. Questions ask for information, while Requests and commands ask for an action.
Como identificar
Look for language that asks or tells someone to act, even if it has the shape of a question.
Na tua língua materna
Requests and commands use the imperative (imperativo), a verb form that asks someone to act. Standard forms for você include fale and faça, but everyday Brazilian speech also uses forms such as fala and faz with você, depending on region and speaking style. Por favor and questions with pode or poderia make a request more courteous.
Não feche a janela, por favor.
Não feche is the standard negative command form for você.
Pega uma cadeira e senta aqui.
These command forms are common in everyday speech, including with você in many regions.
Você poderia falar um pouco mais baixo?
The question is a courteous request for an action.
Na tua língua de aprendizagem
English commands usually use the verb's base form, such as take or come, without the subject you. Negative commands put don't before that form. Requests often use please or questions with can, could, or would.
Take a seat.
The command uses the base form take and leaves out you.
Don't touch that pan.
Don't comes before the base form touch.
Could you pass the bread, please?
This has the form of a question, but the speaker is asking for an action.
Learners whose language has special command endings may add an unnecessary ending to the English verb. Learners whose language negates commands like statements may use not alone instead of don't.