contaminar Negative Imperative Conjugation
contaminar — to pollute
Negative commands for contaminar use the present subjunctive, like 'no contamines' (tú) or 'no contaminen' (ustedes).
contaminar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This form is used to tell someone *not* to do something. It's always preceded by 'no' and uses the present subjunctive conjugation.
Notes on contaminar in the Negative Imperative
Contaminar is regular in the negative imperative. All negative commands use the present subjunctive forms.
Example Sentences
No contamines el río con tus desechos.
Don't pollute the river with your waste.
tú
No contaminemos esta playa con basura.
Let's not pollute this beach with trash.
nosotros
Por favor, no contaminen el aire de la ciudad.
Please, don't pollute the city's air.
ustedes
No contaminéis el agua del grifo.
Don't pollute the tap water.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive with 'no' for a command.
Correct: Use 'no contaminar' only when talking about the general act of not polluting, not for a direct command. For commands, use the subjunctive: 'no contamines'.
Why: The infinitive is a verb form used as a noun or after certain prepositions/verbs, not for direct commands.
Mistake: Confusing with affirmative imperative forms.
Correct: Remember negative commands always use the subjunctive: 'no contamines', not 'contamina'.
Why: The affirmative and negative imperatives have different endings for 'tú' and 'vosotros'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contamino
The present indicative of contaminar (contamino, contaminas, etc.) describes current or habitual pollution.
Preterite
yo: contaminé
The preterite of contaminar is regular: contaminé, contaminaste, contaminó, contaminamos, contaminasteis, contaminaron.
Imperfect
yo: contaminaba
The imperfect of contaminar (contaminaba, contaminabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual pollution in the past.
Future
yo: contaminaré
The future tense of contaminar (contaminaré, contaminarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contaminaría
The conditional of contaminar (contaminaría, contaminarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical outcomes ('would pollute').
Present Subjunctive
yo: contamine
The present subjunctive of contaminar (contamine, contamines, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contaminara
The imperfect subjunctive of contaminar (contaminara/contaminase) expresses hypothetical or past subjunctive situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contamina
Use the imperative of contaminar for direct commands like 'contamina' (tú) or 'contaminen' (ustedes).