despreciar Negative Imperative Conjugation
despreciar — to look down on
Negative commands for despreciar use the present subjunctive: 'no desprecies', 'no desprecien'.
despreciar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use negative commands to tell someone *not* to do something. For 'despreciar', you'll use the present subjunctive forms preceded by 'no'.
Notes on despreciar in the Negative Imperative
Despreciar is regular in the negative imperative. All negative commands in Spanish use the present subjunctive, so this tense follows the present subjunctive conjugation.
Example Sentences
No desprecies a nadie.
Don't look down on anyone.
tú
No desprecien las tradiciones antiguas.
Don't look down on old traditions.
ustedes
No despreciemos la oportunidad.
Let's not look down on the opportunity.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the affirmative imperative with 'no'.
Correct: Use 'No desprecies' (subjunctive) instead of 'No desprecia'.
Why: Negative commands require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing 'vosotros' and 'ustedes' negative commands.
Correct: For 'vosotros', it's 'no despreciéis'; for 'ustedes', it's 'no desprecien'.
Why: These are distinct forms for plural commands.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desprecio
The present tense of despreciar (desprecio, desprecias, desprecia...) describes current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: desprecié
The preterite of despreciar is regular: desprecié, despreciaste, despreció, despreciamos, despreciasteis, despreciaron.
Imperfect
yo: despreciaba
The imperfect of despreciar (despreciaba, despreciabas...) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: despreciaré
The future tense of despreciar (despreciaré, despreciarás...) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: despreciaría
The conditional of despreciar (despreciaría, despreciarías...) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desprecie
Use 'desprecie' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) and 'desprecien' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) after wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: despreciara
The imperfect subjunctive of despreciar (e.g., despreciara, despreciaras) is used for past hypotheticals and wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desprecia
Use 'desprecia' (tú) and 'desprecien' (ustedes) for direct commands with despreciar.