Imperative — Negative Commands

Imperative — Negative Commands

Negative familiar commands and all polite commands use the present subjunctive. In polite commands, the verb is usually followed by Ud. or Uds.

Tú

No hables con ellos.

Don't speak to them.

No me digas nada de ello.

Don't tell me anything about it.

Usted

Venga Ud. por aquí, por favor

Come this way, please.

No vayan Uds. con ellos.

Don't go with them.

Ellos

Escriban Uds. con cuidado.

Write with care.

No escriban Uds. con cuidado.

Don't write with care.

Nosotros

Commands referring to nosotros (let's run, let's sing, etc.) are expressed.

1. By vamos a and the infinitive if the intention is to do it now.

Tengo hambre, vamos a comer.

I'm hungry, let's eat.

2. Otherwise by the first person plural of the present subjunctive.

Hablemos con Juan.

Let's talk to John.

Indirect commands

Indirect commands (May he prosper, Let him go, etc.), also use the present subjunctive and are usually introduced by que.

Que lo haga Jorge.

Let Jorge do it.

Que me lo diga María.

Have María tell me.