Reflexive "se" help!

Reflexive "se" help!
 

I'm having a bit of trouble with when to use "se" with comer. For example:
John eats the pen.

John se come la pluma....OR...John come la pluma.

If it is the second one, how is it distinguished from a command?

Thanks!

The difference between comer and comerse is really one of emphasis - comerse is more emphatic.

Examples:
No hay nada para comer - there's nothing to eat
Comemos a las nueve - we eat at nine
(emphasis) Se lo comió de un bocado - he gulped it down in one go

In your sentences, the second one is clearly not a command because you have John there as the subject.

I agree with Perikles.

I would just add that a comma would make the difference with the imperative, if you use the conjugation corresponding to pronoun "tú" to address John.

· John, come la pluma. -> ("tú")


But if you use any other form of the imperative (the pronominal or the pronoun usted), then there would be no possibility of confusion:

· John, cómete la pluma. ("tú" + pronominal)
· John, coma la pluma. ("usted")
· John, cómase la pluma. ("usted" + pronominal)


For some explanations on the uses of "se", you can take a look here. :)

So, if it is a matter of emphasis, do you mean BOTH
Juan come la pluma, and
Juan se come la pluma
are correct ways of saying John eats the pen?

comerse = eat (it) all up - gobble (something) down
comer = eat

Pluma, by the way, refers to a quill pen. And, why is John eating one?

John is probably a dog :))

Ok, so if I'm hearing you right then:

John eats the pen. = John come la pluma.
John eats(gobbles up) the pen. = John se come la pluma.