using the imperative form

I was surprised to see these two examples (on the Linguee site) not using the command form of "se renseigner." Is the rule that when it's a general command or instruction directed at everyone, the infinitive is used?

En cas d'incertitude quant au type d'alimentation à utiliser, se renseigner auprès d'un revendeur ou de la compagnie d'électricité locale.

Se renseigner sur la maladie et identifier les ressources communautaires.

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Permalink Reply by Vedas on May 7, 2013 at 3:36pm

Yes you're right.

Both forms express orders, instructions, advice.. and both are correct in such situations.

It' a question of nuances and context.

The infinitive will be used when you want to speak to a group of people as a whole and not to someone in particular. Its use plays a more neutral and distant role, we can use it with phrases like "prière de", "veuiller " or "s'il vous plaît"

The imperative message aims at someone in particular and is more direct, the polite phrase will be at the end of the sentence.

"Prière de déposer votre demande" is less directive and direct than "déposez votre demande (s'il vous plaît)"