contestar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
contestar — to answer
Use 'contesta' (tú) and 'conteste' (usted) for direct commands to answer.
contestar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
The imperative is for giving direct orders or making strong suggestions. For 'contestar', it means telling someone directly to answer something, like 'Answer the question!'
Notes on contestar in the Affirmative Imperative
Contestar is regular in the imperative. Be mindful of the tú form 'contesta' versus the usted form 'conteste'.
Example Sentences
Contesta la pregunta, por favor.
Answer the question, please.
tú
Contesten cuando les pregunten.
Answer when they ask you.
ustedes
Contestad con la verdad.
Answer with the truth.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative 'contestas' instead of the imperative 'contesta' for tú.
Correct: For a direct command to 'tú', use 'contesta'.
Why: The present indicative describes an action, while the imperative gives a command.
Mistake: Forgetting to use 'no' with the negative imperative forms.
Correct: All negative commands require 'no' before the verb, e.g., 'No contestes'.
Why: In Spanish, negative commands are formed using 'no' plus the present subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contesto
Use 'contesto', 'contestas', 'contesta' for actions happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: contesté
Use 'contesté', 'contestaste', 'contestó' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: contestaba
Use 'contestaba', 'contestabas', etc., for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: contestaré
The future tense 'contestaré', 'contestarás', etc., indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contestaría
Use 'contestaría', 'contestarías', etc., for hypothetical situations ('would answer').
Present Subjunctive
yo: conteste
Use 'conteste' (yo/él/ella/usted) and 'contestes' (tú) for wishes, doubts, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contestara
Use 'contestara' or 'contestase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contestes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no contestes' (tú) or 'no conteste' (usted).