The Imperative Mood

[jeanconnerie]

I've been watching talks and lectures with English audio and Spanish subtitles to pick up vocabulary. Sometimes, I notice that the subtitles use the indicative tense to translate commands instead of the imperative tense. I would have thought that it might be a mistake, but it happens often enough to make me doubt this.

Is it acceptable in everyday Spanish to use the indicative tense in place of the imperative (in the context of giving commands)?

Thanks

[Rusty]

Using the indicative mood is considered a polite form of command, and is very commonly used.
The imperative mood does have its place, however.

[JPablo]

Should the title of this thread be corrected?

I.e., "The Imperative Mood"?

[jeanconnerie]

Cheers, Thanks

[JPablo]

:)
Thank you, Rusty!

[mwtzzz]

It's common in English too. You state a "command" as a "fact". Instead of saying "pick me up at 5", you say "you will pick me up at 5." It is a kind of question/statement of fact rolled into one.