A question regarding a particular form of the imperative. Any help will be appreciated.

Question

When we use imperatives like trabajar, comer, soñar, etc...is it correct to use them in day-to-day conversation? Can I tell a friend,"Oye, hacerme un favor: Ir a la casa de Antonio y decirle que me devuelva los libros"?

I have always understood that those particular words should only be used in signs, posts, marketing, et al., when referring to a hypothetical audience, (No fumar, No tirar basura) as opposed to regular conversation. Should I not tell my friend "hazme", "ve" y "dile"? Or have I had it wrong all this time?

Thanks a whole lot for your help!

Answer 1

Technically -and I'm sure the RAE can back me up on this- it is not correct to use the infinitive form as an imperative, although it's not uncommon for people to use it.

However, it's something that's widely used on signposts, advertising, labels and instructions on assorted products, to "talk" to an indeterminate audience:

• "No ingerir previo a usar maquinaria pesada"
• "No fumar"
• "Guardar en el refrigerador"
• Manejar con cuidado"

It's just an impersonal form that isn't exactly giving out an order, but a general recommendation.

So no, you didn't get it wrong all this time.

Thanks! - Oramasdude, May 22, 2011

Answer 2

I am reading Amy Tan's Los cien sentidos secretos which was translated from the English about 15 years ago by Argelia Castillo Cano. The use of infinitives as imperatives in the dialogue of children is not unusual in that book.

Answer 3

Trabajar and comer are infinitives, not imperatives.

Thanks! - Oramasdude, May 22, 2011

Answer 4

The only point I was making is that even though they can be used as imperatives, they are still infinitives.