retornar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
retornar — to return
Use 'retorna' (tú), 'retorne' (usted), 'retornemos' (nosotros), 'retornad' (vosotros), 'retornen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
retornar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
You use the imperative mood for direct commands or strong suggestions. For 'retornar', this means telling someone to return something or to return somewhere.
Notes on retornar in the Affirmative Imperative
The affirmative imperative of 'retornar' is regular for -ar verbs. The tú form 'retorna' drops the 'r' from the infinitive and adds 'a'. The vosotros form 'retornad' uses the infinitive minus the 'r' plus 'd'.
Example Sentences
¡Retorna el libro a la biblioteca!
Return the book to the library!
tú
Por favor, retorne su asiento.
Please, return to your seat.
usted
Retornemos a casa antes de que oscurezca.
Let's return home before it gets dark.
nosotros
¡Retornad pronto!
Return soon!
vosotros
Retornen las llaves al recepcionista.
Return the keys to the receptionist.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of imperative for commands, e.g., 'Tú retornas el libro'.
Correct: Use the imperative: 'Retorna el libro'.
Why: The imperative mood is specifically for commands, while the present indicative describes current actions.
Mistake: Confusing tú and usted forms, e.g., saying 'Retorne el libro' to a friend.
Correct: Use 'Retorna el libro' for friends (tú) and 'Retorne el libro' for formal situations (usted).
Why: Spanish has distinct formal and informal command forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retorno
The present tense of 'retornar' (retorno, retornas, etc.) describes current actions or habits of returning.
Preterite
yo: retorné
The preterite of 'retornar' is regular: retorné, retornaste, retornó, retornamos, retornasteis, retornaron.
Imperfect
yo: retornaba
The imperfect of 'retornar' (retornaba, retornabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of returning.
Future
yo: retornaré
The future tense of 'retornar' (retornaré, retornarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: retornaría
The conditional of 'retornar' (retornaría, retornarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retorne
The present subjunctive of 'retornar' (retorne, retornes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retornara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'retornar' (retornara, retornaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or suggestions.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retornes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no retornes' (tú), 'no retorne' (usted), etc.