Negative commands
A2Grammar path · Lesson 35 of 86 · Stage A2 · Commands and the future
You use negative commands to forbid, warn or advise someone not to do something, like telling a friend not to worry or a child not to run. The form is the same for every person: no + present subjunctive, as in no hables, no coma, no vengan. Pronouns go before the verb as separate words: no lo toques, no te preocupes. The usual mix-up is with affirmative commands. For tú, the affirmative is habla with pronouns attached to the end (tócalo), while the negative switches to no hables and no lo toques.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
no + presente de subjuntivo (tú)no + presente de subjuntivo (usted/ustedes)no + pronombre(s) + presente de subjuntivoimperativo + pronombre(s)When to use it
Prohibitions and warnings
Use it to stop someone from doing something dangerous or not allowed.
Advice and reassurance
Use it to advise friends or family against something or to tell them not to worry.
Polite requests with usted/ustedes
With strangers, customers or a group, use usted or ustedes, often with por favor.
Negative commands: no + present subjunctive
Signal words
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
How do you form negative commands in Spanish?
Use no + the present subjunctive for every person: no hables, no coma, no vengan.
Why is it not no habla but no hables?
The affirmative tú command is habla, but negative commands always use the subjunctive, so it must be no hables.
Where do pronouns go in negative commands?
Pronouns go right after no and before the verb, as separate words: no lo toques, no te vayas. They never attach to the end of the verb as in affirmative commands.
Can I use nunca instead of no?
Yes, nunca also takes the subjunctive to mean 'never': Nunca le mientas a tu madre.
What are the negative forms of irregular verbs like ir and ser?
They take their irregular subjunctive forms: no vayas (ir), no seas (ser), no hagas (hacer), no digas (decir).