A2.39 - Teamwork

The imperative (negative)

El imperativo negativo

El imperativo negativo en español se forma utilizando no + verbo conjugado en subjuntivo.

(The negative imperative in Spanish is formed using no + a verb conjugated in the subjunctive.)

What you’re learning: negative commands (tú / vosotros)

In Spanish, negative commands (“Don’t…”) are formed with:

  • no + present subjunctive
  • If there is a pronoun: no + pronoun + verb

This is different from English, where you simply use “don’t + base verb”.

The key idea: negative imperative = present subjunctive

For tú and vosotros, Spanish uses the present subjunctive in negative commands.

Person Pattern Example
tú no + subjunctive No trabajes (Don’t work)
vosotros no + subjunctive No trabajéis (Don’t work, you all)

Common trap: don’t use the present indicative in a command.

  • No trabajas (This means “You don’t work” = statement)
  • No trabajes (This is “Don’t work” = command)

How to form it quickly (2-step method)

  1. Start from yo in the present tense.

    • trabajar → (yo) trabajo
    • preparar → (yo) preparo
    • quedarse → (yo) me quedo

  2. Swap the ending (subjunctive):

    Verb type tú vosotros
    -ar verbs -es -éis
    -er / -ir verbs -as -áis

Examples:

  • trabajar (yo trabajo) → No trabajes / No trabajéis
  • preparar (yo preparo) → No prepares / No preparéis

Pronouns in negative commands: always before the verb

With negative commands, pronouns go in front of the verb:

  • No te quedes (Don’t stay / don’t end up)
  • No os quedéis (Don’t you all stay / don’t end up)

Don’t do this in negative commands:

  • No quedeste
  • No quedéisos

Meaning check: command vs. description

Spanish often has two similar-looking options. Ask yourself: Am I giving an instruction?

  • No trabajes = instruction (Don’t work)
  • No trabajas = description (You don’t work)
  • No os quedéis = instruction (Don’t end up / don’t stay)
  • No os quedáis = description (You don’t stay)

Self-check before you speak (fast checklist)

  1. Is it a negative command? → start with no.

  2. Is it tú or vosotros? → use present subjunctive.

  3. Is there a pronoun (te / os / lo / la / etc.)? → put it before the verb.

  4. Final check: does it accidentally sound like a statement (no trabajas)? If yes, switch to subjunctive.

  1. With negatives, pronouns always go before the verb: no te quedes
Persona (Person)Forma (Form)Ejemplo (Example)
TúNo trabajesNo trabajes sin comunicarlo (Don’t work without communicating it)
VosotrosNo trabajéisNo trabajéis sin apoyo. (Don’t work without support.)
Tú + pronombreNo te quedesNo te quedes solo sin avisar. (Don’t stay alone without letting us know.)
Vosotros + pronombreNo os quedéisNo os quedéis sin tareas. (Don’t stay without tasks.)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

Fetching your corrections... Please don't close this page yet.

1. No ______ en el informe sin comunicártelo antes.

Don't ______ on the report without telling me first.

2. No ______ sin tareas; preguntad si necesitáis apoyo.

Don't ______ without tasks; ask if you need support.

3. No ______ callado en la reunión: pide ayuda si hay un problema.

Don't ______ quiet in the meeting: ask for help if there's a problem.

4. No ______ la factura con prisa; revisad los datos primero.

Don't ______ the invoice in a hurry; check the details first.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences as negative imperative commands (tú / vosotros). If there are pronouns, place them before the verb. Example: Habla más alto. → No hables más alto.

Fetching your corrections... Please don't close this page yet.

Show/Hide translation Show/Hide hints
  1. Hint Hint ((tú)) Llegas tarde a la reunión.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    No llegues tarde a la reunión.
    (Don’t be late to the meeting.)
  2. Hint Hint ((vosotros)) Habláis por teléfono en la oficina.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    No habléis por teléfono en la oficina.
    (Don’t talk on the phone in the office.)
  3. Hint Hint ((tú)) Te quedas en la sala sin avisar.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    No te quedes en la sala sin avisar.
    (Don’t stay in the room without letting anyone know.)
  4. Hint Hint ((vosotros)) Os sentáis en mi sitio.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    No os sentéis en mi sitio.
    (Don’t sit in my seat.)

Written by

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