imperativo: pronominal

Pronominal Verbs in the Imperative (Affirmative)

In French, when you give an order or a suggestion using a pronominal verb (reflexive verbs) in the affirmative imperative, the reflexive pronoun moves after the verb and is connected by a hyphen.

1. Formation and Pronoun Changes

The pronouns change slightly in the "tu" form:

• te becomes -toi
• nous becomes -nous
• vous becomes -vous

Examples:

• Lève-toi ! (Get up! / Stand up!)
• Levons-nous ! (Let's get up!)
• Levez-vous ! (Get up! - plural/formal)
• Assieds-toi ! (Sit down!)
• Asseyons-nous ! (Let's sit down!)
• Asseyez-vous ! (Sit down! - plural/formal)

2. The Addition of "-s" with "en" and "y"

Normally, for -ER verbs (and "aller"), the "s" is dropped in the tu form of the imperative. However, when the verb is followed by the pronouns en or y, we add an -s back to the verb. This is done solely to make the pronunciation smoother (avoiding a "clash" of two vowel sounds).

Examples:

• Vas-y ! (Go there! / Go ahead!) - From the verb "aller".
• Donnes-en ! (Give some! / Give some of it!) - From the verb "donner".
• Achètes-en ! (Buy some!) - From the verb "acheter".