acatar Negative Imperative Conjugation
acatar — to obey
Use 'no acates' (tú) and 'no acate' (usted) for negative commands to obey.
acatar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This is for telling someone *not* to obey or comply with something. It's a polite way to forbid an action.
Notes on acatar in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish use the present subjunctive form of the verb, preceded by 'no'. So, 'acatar' follows the regular present subjunctive pattern here.
Example Sentences
No acates órdenes ilegales.
Do not obey illegal orders.
tú
No acate esa sugerencia, no es buena idea.
Do not obey that suggestion, it's not a good idea.
usted
No acaten las instrucciones si no están claras.
Do not obey the instructions if they are not clear.
ustedes
No acates la autoridad de cualquiera.
Don't obey just anyone's authority.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the indicative instead of subjunctive for negative commands.
Correct: Always use the present subjunctive after 'no' for negative commands (e.g., 'no acates' not 'no acatas').
Why: Spanish grammar strictly requires the subjunctive mood for negative commands.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'no'.
Correct: Make sure to include 'no' before the subjunctive verb form.
Why: The 'no' is essential to make the command negative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: acato
Use 'acato' (yo) and 'acata' (él/ella/usted) for current or habitual obedience.
Preterite
yo: acaté
Use 'acaté' (yo) and 'acató' (él/ella/usted) for completed actions of obeying in the past.
Imperfect
yo: acataba
Use 'acataba' (él/ella/usted) and 'acataban' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for past habitual or ongoing obedience.
Future
yo: acataré
Use 'acataré' (yo) and 'acatará' (él/ella/usted) for future obedience or probability.
Conditional
yo: acataría
Use 'acataría' (yo) and 'acataría' (él/ella/usted) for hypothetical obedience ('would obey').
Present Subjunctive
yo: acate
Use 'acate' (él/ella/usted) or 'acates' (tú) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: acatara
Use 'acatara' or 'acataras' etc. for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acata
Use 'acata' (tú) and 'acate' (usted) for direct commands to obey.