Translation: See the example.

Question

For the translation of "See the example." I have lots of questions. See below.

Is it:

Ver el ejemplo. Véase el ejemplo. Vea el ejemplo.

Which translation would work best when giving instructions to a student in written form? In spoken form?

Is it okay to use the command form, or is there some reason why the infinitive is often used?

Why would an infinitive be used when this is not a gerund "Seeing" or "To see"? Thanks for any help on understanding this!

Answer 1

Of course in spoken form the imperative is used "Vea el ejemplo".

You could also use imperative for the written form, but it´s more common to use the infinitive "Ver el ejemplo".

Infinitive usage is a shortened version of "Haga el favor de ver el ejemplo" and this is many times written as "Favor de ver el ejemplo." Since these are instructions, the shortest infinitive version is usually preferred. Infinitive usage is also more formal.

Perfect...I've go to remember the first part of that command. - --Mariana--, Mar 26, 2013