How to use Reporting another person's words in the imperative in Spanish

Learn how to use Reporting another person's words in the imperative, and what to use it for in Spanish.
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Reporting another person's words in the imperative

Reminder: reported speech allows us to relay the words of another person. To form it, we use a reporting verb (decir, pensar, creer, etc.) that introduces what we are going to report. When the reporting verb is in the simple present or present perfect, we generally keep the verb tense used in the original sentence. 

Ana: «Vivo vivir, presente en Madrid» → Ana dice decir, presente que vive vivir, presente en Madrid.

Ana: “I live in Madrid” → Ana says that she lives in Madrid.

Ana: «Volveré volver, futuro a Argentina» → Ana piensa pensar, presente que volverá volver, futuro a Argentina.

Ana: “I will go back to Argentina” → Ana thinks that she will go back to Argentina.

To report an imperative, it's necessary to change the verb tense.

  • If the reporting verb is in the simple present (dice, explica, cree, etc.) or present perfect (ha dicho, ha explicado, ha creído, etc.), the verb in the imperative changes to the present subjunctive.

Ana: «Sube subir, imperativo presente la maleta» → Ana dice/ha dicho que subas subir, subj. presente la maleta.

Ana: “Take up the suitcase” → Ana says/has said to take up the suitcase

Ana: «Sigue seguir, imperativo presente hablando» → Ana dice/ha dicho que sigas seguir, subj. presente hablando.

Ana: “Keep on talking” → Ana says/has said to keep on talking.

  • If the reporting verb is in the simple past (dijo, pensó…), imperfect (decía, pensaba…) or past perfect (había dicho, había pensado…), the verb in the imperative changes to the imperfect subjunctive.

Ana: «Sube subir, imperativo presente la maleta» → Ana dijo/decía/había dicho que subieras subir, subj. pret. imperf. la maleta.

Ana: “Take up the suitcase” → Ana said/was saying/had said to take up the suitcase.

Ana: «Sigue seguir, imperativo presente hablando» → Ana dijo/decía/había dicho que siguieras seguir, subj. pret. imperf. hablando.

Ana: “Keep on talking” → Ana said/was saying/had said to keep on talking.

Note: the imperfect subjunctive has two correct forms for each verb.

«Ven» → Dijo que vinieras venir, subj. pret. imperf. / vinieses venir, subj. pret. imperf.

“Come” → She said to come.



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