10K+ students - 4.8/5
Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson covers El imperativo negativo, teaching how to give negative commands in Spanish using forms like "No trabajes" and "No os quedéis." It explains the use of the present subjunctive for "tú" and "vosotros" and the placement of pronouns before the verb, as in "No te quedes."
  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.
(Do not rest on the sofa, please.)
2. Trabajar (Tú):
No ... solo, puedes preguntar tu compañero.
(Don't work alone, you can ask your partner.)
3. Comer (Vosotros):
No ... en la sala de reuniones, por favor.
(Do not eat in the meeting room, please.)
4. Llamar + me: (Tú):
No ... si estás en la reunión.
(Don't call me if you are in the meeting.)
5. Escuchar (Vosotros):
Chicos, no ... solo a un miembro del grupo.
(Guys, don't listen to only one member of the group.)
6. Ayudar (Vosotros):
No ... sin consultar al jefe antes.
(Don't help without consulting the boss first.)
7. Hablar (Tú):
Por favor, no ... durante la entrevista de trabajo.
(Please do not speak during the job interview.)
8. Vivir (Tú):
No ... sin comunicarte con el equipo.
(Do not show up without contacting the team.)

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 correct form of the present subjunctive with 'tú' or 'vosotros' and the proper position of the negative pronouns.

1.
Incorrect: this form is for 'vosotros', not for 'tú'.
Incorrect: 'hablas' is indicative, not the present subjunctive needed for the negative imperative.
2.
Incorrect: 'enviás' 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 position of the pronoun 'te'; it should 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 negative imperative.

Understanding the Negative Imperative in Spanish

This lesson focuses on the negative imperative, which is used to give orders or instructions telling someone what not to do. It is an important aspect of everyday communication, especially in contexts where you need to politely or firmly advise against certain actions.

Forming the Negative Imperative

For the second person singular tú, the negative imperative uses the present subjunctive form of the verb. For example: No trabajes (Don't work).

For the second person plural vosotros, add the endings -éis or -áis to the stem, depending on the verb conjugation. For example: No trabajéis (Don't work, plural).

Using Pronouns with the Negative Imperative

When using reflexive or object pronouns, they must be placed before the verb in negative commands, which contrasts with affirmative commands where pronouns are attached to the end. For example:

  • No te quedes solo sin avisar. (Don't stay alone without warning.)
  • No os quedéis sin tareas. (Don't stay without tasks.)

Always remember to place no before the verb to form the negative imperative.

Important Highlights

  • Negative imperative: Expresses what not to do.
  • Tú form: Present subjunctive form, e.g., No trabajes.
  • Vosotros form: Present subjunctive with -éis/-áis, e.g., No trabajéis.
  • Pronouns placement: Always before the verb in negative commands.
  • Always use: no before the verb.

Differences and Useful Expressions

Unlike English, where the negative imperative is formed simply by adding "don't" before the verb (e.g., "Don't work"), Spanish requires using the present subjunctive for the verb forms. Also, the placement of pronouns is different: in English, pronouns always come after the verb or object, but in Spanish negative commands, pronouns precede the verb.

Useful words and expressions for giving negative commands and instructions include:

  • No (not, no) — the key word to form negative commands.
  • Quedarse — to stay, used with pronouns as te quedes, os quedéis.
  • Trabajar — to work, as in No trabajes, No trabajéis.

Understanding these structures is essential for clear, polite communication when instructing or advising others about actions to avoid.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage