contestar Negative Imperative Conjugation
contestar — to answer
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no contestes' (tú) or 'no conteste' (usted).
contestar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use the negative imperative to tell someone *not* to do something. It's like a prohibition or a warning, such as 'Don't answer that!' or 'Don't answer rudely.'
Notes on contestar in the Negative Imperative
Contestar is regular in the negative imperative, which is formed using the present subjunctive. Ensure you use 'no' before the verb.
Example Sentences
No contestes sin pensar.
Don't answer without thinking.
tú
No conteste esa llamada, es spam.
Don't answer that call, it's spam.
usted
No contestéis cosas que no sabéis.
Don't answer things you don't know.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Saying 'contesta no' instead of 'no contestes'.
Correct: The negative particle 'no' always comes *before* the verb in negative commands.
Why: This is the standard word order for negative commands in Spanish.
Mistake: Using the infinitive 'no contestar' for a negative command.
Correct: Use the present subjunctive form: 'no contestes', 'no conteste', etc.
Why: The infinitive can sometimes be used impersonally, but for direct commands, the subjunctive is needed.
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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.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contesta
Use 'contesta' (tú) and 'conteste' (usted) for direct commands to answer.