Instruction: Spanish Negative commands

1. Forming Negative Commands

Negative commands use the present subjunctive forms of verbs. The structure changes depending on whether you are speaking informally or formally and whether you are addressing one person or a group.

1.1 Tú (Informal Singular)

To form a negative tú command, use the tú form of the present subjunctive.

Examples:

• Hablar: No hables (Don’t speak)
• Comer: No comas (Don’t eat)
• Escribir: No escribas (Don’t write)

Example Sentences:

• No hables tan rápido. (Don’t speak so fast.)
• No comas tanto. (Don’t eat so much.)
• No escribas en la pared. (Don’t write on the wall.)

1.2 Vosotros/Vosotras (Informal Plural, Spain)

To form a negative vosotros command, use the vosotros form of the present subjunctive.

Examples:

• Hablar: No habléis (Don’t speak)
• Comer: No comáis (Don’t eat)
• Escribir: No escribáis (Don’t write)

Example Sentences:

• No habléis todos a la vez. (Don’t speak all at once.)
• No comáis demasiado tarde. (Don’t eat too late.)
• No escribáis en los libros. (Don’t write in the books.)

1.3 Usted (Formal Singular)

To form a negative usted command, use the Ud. form of the present subjunctive.

Examples:

• Hablar: No hable (Don’t speak)
• Comer: No coma (Don’t eat)
• Escribir: No escriba (Don’t write)

Example Sentences:

• No hable durante la película. (Don’t speak during the movie.)
• No coma demasiado azúcar. (Don’t eat too much sugar.)
• No escriba en este documento. (Don’t write in this document.)

1.4 Ustedes (Formal Plural)

To form a negative ustedes command, use the Uds. form of the present subjunctive.

Examples:

• Hablar: No hablen (Don’t speak)
• Comer: No coman (Don’t eat)
• Escribir: No escriban (Don’t write)

Example Sentences:

• No hablen tan fuerte. (Don’t speak so loudly.)
• No coman antes de la cena. (Don’t eat before dinner.)
• No escriban en las mesas. (Don’t write on the tables.)

1.5 Nosotros/Nosotras (Let’s not)

To form a negative nosotros command, use the nosotros form of the present subjunctive. This form is used to suggest that you and others do not do something together, often translated as “Let’s not” in English.

Examples:

• Hablar: No hablemos (Let’s not speak)
• Comer: No comamos (Let’s not eat)
• Escribir: No escribamos (Let’s not write)

Example Sentences:

• No hablemos de eso ahora. (Let’s not talk about that now.)
• No comamos aquí, busquemos otro lugar. (Let’s not eat here, let’s find another place.)
• No escribamos en el documento todavía. (Let’s not write in the document yet.)

2. Key Points to Remember

• All negative commands use the present subjunctive forms, regardless of whom you are addressing.
• Unlike positive commands, reflexive, indirect, and direct object pronouns are placed before the verb in negative commands.
  (e.g., No te levantes – Don’t get up.)
• Irregular verbs in the negative commands follow their subjunctive forms, so you need to be familiar with these irregular patterns. (See Spanish Subjunctive Tense: Irregular Stem Changing Verbs, and other irregulars.)

Conclusion

Negative commands are important for preventing actions or prohibiting behavior. By mastering the different forms for tú, usted, vosotros, ustedes, and nosotros, you’ll be able to confidently give negative commands in various situations. Keep practicing these forms, including the irregular verbs, to become more proficient in using negative commands in Spanish!