what is the difference between the negative tú command and the affirmative tú command?

Firstly, the most obvious difference is that negative tú commands are preceded by a negative word such as 'no' or 'nunca'. These two types of tú command also differ in the way that they are formed grammatically. With affirmative tú commands, the third-person singular form of the present indicative tense is used. With verbs ending in -ar, the infinitive ending is removed and the third-person singular '-a' ending is added to the stem. For example, if we take the verb 'comprar', the affirmative tú command of this verb is 'compra'. With verbs ending in -ir or -er, once again the infinitive ending is removed and the third-person singular '-e' ending is added to the stem. For example, the verb 'escribir' becomes 'escribe' when the affirmative tú command is formed and for the verb 'aprender', the affirmative tú command form is 'aprende'. In order to form negative tú commands, the present subjunctive tú form is used which therefore involves a change in the conjugation vowel. For example, with regard to verbs ending in -ar, the infinitive ending is removed and the second-person present subjunctive '-es' ending is added to the stem. For example, the verb 'comprar', becomes 'no compres' in the negative tú command form. With verbs ending in -ir or -er, again the infinitive ending is removed and the second-person present subjunctive '-as' ending is added. This means that the verb 'escribir' in the negative tú command form becomes 'no escribas' and the verb 'aprender' becomes 'no aprendas' 

Answered by Lucy R. Spanish tutor

4806 Views

See similar Spanish A Level tutors

Related Spanish A Level answers

All answers ▸

Do you want to make a difference in your exam? Then let me introduce you to: “los hiatos y diptongos”


How to know when to use 'ser' and 'estar'?


When do I have to use the subjuntive?


When should I use the subjunctive mood?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences