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Learn the negative imperative in Spanish to give clear instructions on what not to do, using forms like "No trabajes" and pronouns correctly, e.g., "No te quedes". Master commands for "tú" and "vosotros" with subjunctive endings and perfect pronoun placement.
  1. For the second person singular tú, use the present subjunctive form.
  2. For second person plural vosotros, add '-éis'/'-áis'.
  3. With negatives, pronouns always go before the verb: no te quedes
Persona (Person)Forma (Form)Ejemplo (Example)
TúNo trabajesNo trabajes sin comunicarlo (Do not work without communicating it)
VosotrosNo trabajéisNo trabajéis sin apoyo. (Do not work without support.)
Tú + pronombreNo te quedesNo te quedes solo sin avisar. (Don't stay alone without letting anyone know.)
Vosotros + pronombreNo os quedéisNo os quedéis sin tareas. (Do not run out of tasks.)

 

Exceptions!

  1. Always put no in front of the verb.

Exercise 1: El imperativo negativo

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

trabajes, comáis, presentes, descanséis, ayudéis, hables, me llames, escuchéis

1. Descansar (Vosotros):
No ... en el sofá, por favor.
(No descanséis en el sofá, por favor.)
2. Trabajar (Tú):
No ... solo, puedes preguntar tu compañero.
(No trabajes solo, puedes preguntar tu compañero.)
3. Comer (Vosotros):
No ... en la sala de reuniones, por favor.
(No comáis en la sala de reuniones, por favor.)
4. Llamar + me: (Tú):
No ... si estás en la reunión.
(No me llames si estás en la reunión.)
5. Escuchar (Vosotros):
Chicos, no ... solo a un miembro del grupo.
(Chicos, no escuchéis solo a un miembro del grupo.)
6. Ayudar (Vosotros):
No ... sin consultar al jefe antes.
(No ayudéis sin consultar al jefe antes.)
7. Hablar (Tú):
Por favor, no ... durante la entrevista de trabajo.
(Por favor, no hables durante la entrevista de trabajo.)
8. Vivir (Tú):
No ... sin comunicarte con el equipo.
(No presentes sin comunicarte con el equipo.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence using the negative imperative in the second person to give orders or instructions related to teamwork. Identify the appropriate present subjunctive form with 'tú' or 'vosotros' and the correct placement of negative pronouns.

1.
Incorrect: this form is for 'vosotros', not for 'tú'.
Incorrect: 'hablas' is indicative, not the present subjunctive required for the negative imperative.
2.
Incorrect: 'envías' is an indicative form from another person and dialect, not valid here.
Incorrect: use of the infinitive instead of the present subjunctive for the negative imperative.
3.
Incorrect pronoun position 'te'; it must go before the verb, not after.
Incorrect: 'olvidas' is indicative, not negative imperative.
4.
Incorrect placement of the pronoun and verb in indicative instead of subjunctive.
Incorrect verb form and inappropriate pronunciation for the negative imperative.

Understanding the Negative Imperative in Spanish

This lesson focuses on the imperativo negativo, a fundamental grammatical structure used to give orders or instructions telling someone what not to do.

Key Forms

  • For the second person singular tú, the negative command uses the present subjunctive form: No trabajes.
  • For the second person plural vosotros, add the ending -éis or -áis to form the subjunctive: No trabajéis.
  • When using reflexive or object pronouns with negatives, the pronoun goes before the verb: No te quedes, No os quedéis.
  • Always start with no to indicate negation: no + verb in subjunctive.

Examples from the Lesson

PersonFormExample
TúNo trabajesNo trabajes sin comunicarlo
VosotrosNo trabajéisNo trabajéis sin apoyo.
Tú + pronounNo te quedesNo te quedes solo sin avisar.
Vosotros + pronounNo os quedéisNo os quedéis sin tareas.

Practical Phrases to Practice

  • No hables mientras el jefe explica el proyecto. (Don't speak while the boss explains the project.)
  • No enviéis los informes sin revisarlos antes. (Don't send the reports without reviewing them first.)
  • No te olvides de comunicar los cambios al equipo. (Don't forget to communicate the changes to the team.)
  • No os quejéis sin proponer soluciones. (Don't complain without proposing solutions.)

Differences Between English and Spanish Negative Commands

In English, negative commands usually place not after do (e.g., "Do not work"). Spanish forms negative commands by using no before the verb and choosing the verb's form from the present subjunctive mood, which is different from the indicative forms commonly used in English statements. Reflexive and object pronouns always precede the verb in negative commands in Spanish, while in English, pronouns come after the verb or auxiliary.

Here are some useful words and their roles:

  • No: Used to negate commands.
  • Trabajar: To work — important verb example.
  • Quedarse: To stay — often used with reflexive pronouns.
  • Te / Os: Reflexive pronouns for tú and vosotros.

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