cavar Negative Imperative Conjugation
cavar — to dig
Use negative commands like 'no caves' (tú) and 'no caven' (ustedes) to tell someone not to dig.
cavar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This is used to forbid or prevent an action. For 'cavar', you'd say 'No caves aquí' (Don't dig here) or 'No caven todavía' (Don't dig yet).
Notes on cavar in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish are formed using the present subjunctive. 'Cavar' follows the regular present subjunctive pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Tú, no caves cerca de las raíces.
You, don't dig near the roots.
tú
No caven en esa zona, por favor.
Don't dig in that area, please.
ustedes
Vosotros, no cavéis sin preguntar.
You all, don't dig without asking.
vosotros
No cave usted por la noche.
Don't dig at night.
usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: Use the present subjunctive form preceded by 'no', like 'no caves'.
Why: The negative imperative structure requires the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing 'caves' (tú) with 'caves' (él/ella/usted subjunctive).
Correct: Remember that 'no caves' is for 'tú' and 'no cave' is for 'usted'.
Why: The tú form in the negative imperative (present subjunctive) is 'caves', while the usted form is 'cave'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cavo
Use the present tense like 'cavo' (yo) and 'cavan' (ellos) for current actions, habits, or general truths about digging.
Preterite
yo: cavé
Use preterite forms like 'cavé' (yo) and 'cavaron' (ellos) for completed digging actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: cavaba
Use the imperfect like 'cavaba' (yo) and 'cavaban' (ellos) for ongoing or habitual past actions (used to dig, was digging).
Future
yo: cavaré
Future forms like 'cavaré' (yo) and 'cavarán' (ellos) indicate actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: cavaría
Use conditional forms like 'cavaría' (yo) and 'cavarían' (ellos) for hypothetical ('would dig') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: cave
Use present subjunctive forms like 'cave' (yo) and 'caven' (ellos) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cavara
Use the imperfect subjunctive like 'cavara' or 'cavase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cava
Use imperative forms like 'cava' (tú) and 'caven' (ustedes) for direct commands related to digging.