Negative Commands

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to tell someone not to do something in Spanish? Whether you’re a language learner or simply curious about Spanish grammar, understanding negative commands is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of Spanish negative commands, focusing on their formation and usage.

What Are Negative Commands?

Negative commands, also known as negative imperatives, are used to tell someone not to do something. In Spanish, these commands have a unique structure that differs from their affirmative counterparts. The key to mastering negative commands lies in understanding the use of the subjunctive mood.

The Subjunctive Mood in Negative Commands

When forming negative commands in Spanish, you’ll always use the subjunctive mood. This applies to all forms of address: tú, usted, vosotros, and ustedes. The subjunctive is a grammatical mood used to express desires, doubts, and hypothetical situations. In the case of negative commands, it’s used to express the desire for an action not to occur.

Forming Negative Commands

Let’s break down the process of forming negative commands for different forms of address:

1. Tú Form (Informal Singular)

To form a negative command for “tú”:

1. Start with “No”
2. Use the present subjunctive form of the verb

Examples:

• No hables. (Don’t speak.)
• No comas ahora. (Don’t eat now.)
• No corras en la calle. (Don’t run in the street.)

2. Usted Form (Formal Singular)

The process for “usted” is similar to “tú”:

1. Start with “No”
2. Use the present subjunctive form of the verb

Examples:

• No hable. (Don’t speak.)
• No coma con las manos. (Don’t eat with your hands.)
• No se preocupe. (Don’t worry.)

3. Vosotros Form (Informal Plural, used in Spain)

For “vosotros”:

1. Start with “No”
2. Use the present subjunctive form of the verb

Examples:

• No habléis tan alto. (Don’t speak so loudly.)
• No comáis toda la tarta. (Don’t eat all the cake.)
• No salgáis sin abrigo. (Don’t go out without a coat.)

4. Ustedes Form (Formal Plural or Informal Plural in Latin America)

The process for “ustedes” follows the same pattern:

1. Start with “No”
2. Use the present subjunctive form of the verb

Examples:

• No hablen durante la película. (Don’t talk during the movie.)
• No fumen dentro del edificio. (Don’t smoke inside the building.)
• No se olviden de sus pasaportes. (Don’t forget your passports.)

Irregular Verbs in Negative Commands

Some verbs have irregular forms in the subjunctive, which affects their negative commands. Here are a few common irregular verbs:

• Ir (to go):
  • No vayas (tú) / No vaya (usted) / No vayáis (vosotros) / No vayan (ustedes)
• Ser (to be):
  • No seas (tú) / No sea (usted) / No seáis (vosotros) / No sean (ustedes)
• Estar (to be):
  • No estés (tú) / No esté (usted) / No estéis (vosotros) / No estén (ustedes)
• Saber (to know):
  • No sepas (tú) / No sepa (usted) / No sepáis (vosotros) / No sepan (ustedes)

Pronoun Placement in Negative Commands

When using object pronouns with negative commands, place them before the verb. This differs from affirmative commands, where pronouns are attached to the end of the verb.

Examples:

• No lo hagas. (Don’t do it.)
• No me llames tarde. (Don’t call me late.)
• No se lo digas a nadie. (Don’t tell it to anyone.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using the infinitive: In English, we sometimes use “Don’t + infinitive” (e.g., “Don’t run”). In Spanish, always use the conjugated subjunctive form.
   • Incorrect: No correr
   • Correct: No corras
2. Forgetting to change the verb form: Remember that negative commands always use the subjunctive, even for usted and ustedes.
   • Incorrect: No habla (usted)
   • Correct: No hable (usted)
3. Misplacing pronouns: In negative commands, pronouns always go before the verb.
   • Incorrect: No dígale
   • Correct: No le diga

Practice Makes Perfect

To truly master Spanish negative commands, regular practice is key. Try incorporating them into your daily Spanish conversations or writing exercises. Start with simple commands and gradually move to more complex sentences with object pronouns and irregular verbs.

Remember, the more you use these structures, the more natural they’ll become. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re an essential part of the learning process!

By understanding and applying the rules for negative commands, you’ll add an important tool to your Spanish language skillset, allowing you to communicate more effectively in various situations. ¡No te rindas en tu aprendizaje del español! (Don’t give up on your Spanish learning!)

Conjugation

• Find complete information about conjugation of negative commands in Latin American Spanish here.
• Find complete information about conjugation of negative commands in Castilian Spanish here.