5.2 Negative Commands

Negative commands in Spanish are a crucial part of the imperative mood. They allow you to tell someone not to do something, express prohibitions, or give warnings. Understanding how to form and use these commands is key to effective communication in various situations.

Regular and irregular verbs have different rules for forming negative commands. You'll learn how to use them in both formal and informal contexts, and practice incorporating them into everyday conversations. This skill will help you navigate social interactions and express yourself more confidently in Spanish.

Negative Commands in Spanish

Forming Negative Commands with Regular Verbs

• Place the word "no" before the imperative form of the verb to form negative commands in Spanish
• Base the imperative form for negative commands on the present subjunctive conjugation for regular verbs
• Form the present subjunctive for regular -ar verbs by dropping the -o ending from the present indicative yo form and adding the opposite endings: -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
• Form the present subjunctive for regular -er and -ir verbs by dropping the -o ending from the present indicative yo form and adding the opposite endings: -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an
• Examples of regular negative commands: "no hables" (don't speak), "no comas" (don't eat), "no escribas" (don't write)

Examples and Practice with Regular Negative Commands

• Practice forming negative commands with common regular -ar verbs like "hablar" (to speak), "estudiar" (to study), and "trabajar" (to work)
  • "No hables tan rápido" (Don't speak so fast)
  • "No estudies todo la noche antes del examen" (Don't study all night before the exam)
  • "No trabajes demasiado" (Don't work too much)
• Use regular -er and -ir verbs to create negative commands, such as "comer" (to eat), "vivir" (to live), and "abrir" (to open)
  • "No comas con las manos" (Don't eat with your hands)
  • "No vivas para trabajar, trabaja para vivir" (Don't live to work, work to live)
  • "No abras la puerta a desconocidos" (Don't open the door to strangers)

Formal vs Informal Negative Commands

Distinguishing Between Formal and Informal Negative Commands

• Use the informal negative command form, based on the present subjunctive conjugation for "tú," with the subject pronoun "tú" (e.g., "no hables" - don't speak)
• Use the formal negative command form, based on the present subjunctive conjugation for "usted," with the subject pronoun "usted" (e.g., "no hable" - don't speak)
• For plural subjects in Spain, use the informal negative command form with "vosotros," based on the present subjunctive conjugation for "vosotros" (e.g., "no habléis" - don't speak)
• For plural subjects, use the formal negative command form with "ustedes," based on the present subjunctive conjugation for "ustedes" (e.g., "no hablen" - don't speak)

Choosing the Appropriate Level of Formality

• Use informal negative commands with friends, family members, and peers to express prohibitions or warnings in a casual setting
  • "No te preocupes, todo saldrá bien" (Don't worry, everything will be fine)
  • "No me llames tan tarde" (Don't call me so late)
• Employ formal negative commands when addressing someone older, in a position of authority, or in a professional context to show respect
  • "No se olvide de traer los documentos necesarios" (Don't forget to bring the necessary documents)
  • "No haga ruido en la biblioteca, por favor" (Don't make noise in the library, please)

Irregular Negative Commands

Commonly Used Verbs with Irregular Negative Commands

• Memorize the irregular negative command forms for frequently used verbs that do not follow the regular formation rules
• Irregular negative commands for "tú": "no hagas" (don't do), "no vayas" (don't go), "no seas" (don't be), "no des" (don't give), "no digas" (don't say), "no tengas" (don't have)
• Irregular negative commands for "usted": "no haga" (don't do), "no vaya" (don't go), "no sea" (don't be), "no dé" (don't give), "no diga" (don't say), "no tenga" (don't have)
• Irregular negative commands for "vosotros": "no hagáis" (don't do), "no vayáis" (don't go), "no seáis" (don't be), "no deis" (don't give), "no digáis" (don't say), "no tengáis" (don't have)
• Irregular negative commands for "ustedes": "no hagan" (don't do), "no vayan" (don't go), "no sean" (don't be), "no den" (don't give), "no digan" (don't say), "no tengan" (don't have)

Practicing Irregular Negative Commands in Context

• Use irregular negative commands in everyday situations to express warnings or prohibitions
  • "No hagas ruido, el bebé está durmiendo" (Don't make noise, the baby is sleeping)
  • "No vayas a la fiesta si tienes que estudiar" (Don't go to the party if you have to study)
• Incorporate irregular negative commands when giving advice or instructions
  • "No seas tímido, habla con confianza" (Don't be shy, speak with confidence)
  • "No des tu información personal a desconocidos" (Don't give your personal information to strangers)

Using Negative Commands in Context

Expressing Prohibitions and Warnings

• Employ negative commands to tell someone not to do something, express prohibitions, or give warnings in various situations
• Use negative commands in social situations to advise against certain actions or behaviors
  • "No hables con la boca llena" (Don't talk with your mouth full)
  • "No pongas los codos sobre la mesa" (Don't put your elbows on the table)
• Utilize negative commands in signs or notices to prohibit specific actions in public spaces
  • "No fumar" (No smoking)
  • "No pisar el césped" (Don't step on the grass)
• Emphasize the importance of avoiding dangerous actions in safety instructions or warnings using negative commands
  • "No toque los cables eléctricos" (Don't touch the electrical wires)
  • "No se acerque al borde del acantilado" (Don't go near the edge of the cliff)

Softening Negative Commands and Giving Directions

• Soften negative commands by using "por favor" (please) to make the prohibition more polite and less abrupt
  • "Por favor, no grites" (Please, don't shout)
  • "Por favor, no corras en los pasillos" (Please, don't run in the hallways)
• Clarify what actions should be avoided when giving directions or instructions using negative commands
  • "No gires a la izquierda en la próxima intersección" (Don't turn left at the next intersection)
  • "No olvides apagar las luces al salir de la habitación" (Don't forget to turn off the lights when leaving the room)