mandar/ordenar + Infinitive/Subjunctive

Command Verbs

Level 4

Use 'mandar' and 'ordenar' to say someone ordered someone else to do something. You can use either an infinitive ('Me mandó salir') or a subjunctive clause ('Me mandó que saliera').

How It Works

The verbs mandar (to command/order) and ordenar (to order) are used to report commands or instructions given to someone. The structure is flexible, allowing for either an infinitive or a subjunctive clause.

1. Structure with Infinitive
This is a very common and direct way to report a command. The person being commanded is represented by an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) placed before the conjugated verb.

  • Structure: [indirect object pronoun] + mandar/ordenar + infinitive
  • Example: El capitán les mandó atacar. (The captain ordered them to attack.)

2. Structure with 'que' + Subjunctive
This structure is also correct and widely used. It explicitly introduces a subordinate clause with 'que'. The verb in this clause must be in the subjunctive mood.

  • Structure: [indirect object pronoun] + mandar/ordenar + que + verb in subjunctive
  • Example: El capitán les mandó que atacaran. (The captain ordered that they attack.)

Tense Agreement (Sequence of Tenses)
Choose the subjunctive tense for the intended time and viewpoint in relation to the main clause. This follows the sequence of tenses.

  • For a current order concerning a current or future action, present subjunctive is common.
    Me ordena que venga mañana. (He orders me to come tomorrow.)
  • For an order viewed from a past reference point, a common choice is the imperfect subjunctive.
    Me ordenó que viniera al día siguiente. (He ordered me to come the next day.)

Note on 'Mandar a'
Be aware that 'mandar a alguien a + infinitivo' usually means 'to send someone to do something', which is different from giving a command.
La mandé a comprar pan. (I sent her to buy bread.)

The Infinitive Need Not Share the Main Subject
In El médico me mandó descansar, the doctor gives the instruction and I rest. The object me identifies the person to carry it out. Both this infinitive and me mandó que descansara are possible; “different subject” does not force the finite option.

Past Orders Can Remain Current
Me ordenó que venga mañana can retain a present viewpoint when tomorrow’s instruction is still current. Me ordenó que viniera al día siguiente adopts the past viewpoint. Other forms, such as que haya terminado para mañana, can specify completion.

Regional Mandar A
The contrast between ordering and sending is useful in Spain. In American usage, mandar a + infinitive also commonly expresses an order, without necessarily implying physical dispatch. Do not mark that regional construction wrong solely because a appears.

Examples (5)

  1. El médico me mandó descansar por una semana.

    The doctor ordered me to rest for a week.

    Word by Word: The doctor me ordered to rest for one week.

  2. El médico me mandó que descansara por una semana.

    The doctor ordered that I rest for a week.

    Word by Word: The doctor me ordered that I should rest for one week.

    This version with 'que' + imperfect subjunctive is also correct and conveys the same meaning as using the infinitive.

  3. La profesora nos ordena apagar los móviles en clase.

    The teacher orders us to turn off our phones in class.

    Word by Word: The teacher us orders to turn off the mobile phones in class.

  4. La profesora nos ordena que apaguemos los móviles en clase.

    The teacher orders that we turn off our phones in class.

    Word by Word: The teacher us orders that we turn off the mobile phones in class.

    Apaguemos presents the action ordered from a current viewpoint. The command construction selects subjunctive; the intended time relation determines its tense.

  5. Les ordenaron que no dijeran nada a la prensa.

    They ordered them not to say anything to the press.

    Word by Word: To them they ordered that not they should say anything to the press.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive after 'que'.

    Mi mamá me ordenó que arreglo mi cuarto.
    Mi mamá me ordenó que arreglara mi cuarto.

    Verbs of command and influence like 'ordenar' and 'mandar' require the subjunctive mood in the following 'que' clause, not the indicative.

  • Omitting 'que' when using a conjugated verb for the command.

    El policía le mandó se detuviera.
    El policía le mandó que se detuviera.

    If you use a conjugated verb (like 'se detuviera') to express the command, you must connect it with the conjunction 'que'. Alternatively, you can use the infinitive directly: 'El policía le mandó detenerse'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mandar/ordenar + Infinitive/SubjunctiveLevel 4Command Verbs

Learn This First

To learn 'mandar' and 'ordenar', you need to understand how to use indirect object pronouns to specify who is being commanded. You also need to know when to use an infinitive (often when the subject is the same or for general commands) versus the subjunctive (when there is a change of subject using 'que').

Words in This Pattern

mandarordenar