Present tense to convey a command/request meaning?
I tried searching my question beforehand, to no avail. My apologies if I missed something.
It is regarding the use of the present tense where one wishes to convey a command meaning of the request type, at least that is my interpretation of what I have heard.
For example: "Cuando llegues a casa, me llamas"/"Whenever you get home, call me."
"Si vas al baile, me invitas"/"If you're going to the dance, invite me."
Is this correct? Is it perhaps a "softer" form of issuing a request than saying:
"Llámame/invítame"? Perhaps it's more like saying: "Will you call me/ will you invite me?"
Many thanks!
3 Answers
I think you absolutely can say it with present tense indicative, maybe even with future tense. Cuando llegues a casa, llámame. Direct imperative command. Cuando llegues a casa, me llamas. Less direct. Now you would think that the command form is more direct and strong, and that the indicative non imperative form is going to be more like a request, but I don't think it's like that. I think "Cuando llegues a casa, llámame" is more like a request and "Cuando llegues a casa, me llamas" is more like a command. Of course this is all speculation, as I have practically no book knowledge, all total immersion from TV etc..... but I see what you are saying. Can a soft command be issued with present indicative and have it work? Yes. My take? It won't be softer. If you want softer try what Q suggested, imperative subjunctive.
Edit: Did a little searching to back up what I was saying. Here you go from about.com.
Use of present and future tenses to give commands: As in English, the present and future indicative tenses can be used to issue emphatic commands. Using the present and future tenses in this way normally wouldn't be done when you're trying to be diplomatic; more likely, they would be used when simple persuasion hasn't been successful or if you're trying to be particularly matter-of-fact.
This link may help. Command Forms
Also it's good to remember that there are the tu, usted and ustedes commands so the 'tu' form could be viewed as a softer way. So for your example above you could use the tu form and say - 'llamame' etc
Yes, you can subdue the imperative, command, but using the present tense, subjunctive, not the present tense, indicative.
que me llames
que tenga un buen día (present tense subjunctive exhortations)
que me invites
Spanish uses the subjunctive mood with verbs of volition
Él mandaste que ella escriba.....
Spanish uses the present tense, subjunctive mood with nosotros commands.
Vayamos...
The imperfect subjunctive is used for making polite requests.
¿Pudieras llamarme? (quisiera, debiera)
You can say things like:
Tienes que... Hay que invitarme. Debes que... Necesitas llamarme.... using the present tense, indicative tense but there is no volition expressed. You are declaring the existence of an obligation
