emplear Negative Imperative Conjugation
emplear — to use
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: ¡no emplees!, ¡no emplee!, ¡no empleemos!, ¡no empleen!, ¡no empleéis!
emplear Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
You use the negative imperative to tell someone *not* to do something. It's the opposite of a direct command.
Notes on emplear in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish use the present subjunctive form. Emplear is regular in the present subjunctive, so its negative imperative forms are straightforward.
Example Sentences
No emplees ese lenguaje aquí.
Don't use that language here.
tú
Por favor, no emplee agua caliente para lavar la lana.
Please, don't use hot water to wash the wool.
usted
No empleemos tanta energía en discusiones inútiles.
Let's not use so much energy on useless arguments.
nosotros
No empleen las redes sociales para difundir noticias falsas.
Don't use social media to spread fake news.
ustedes
No empleéis el coche si no es necesario.
Don't use the car if it's not necessary.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive with 'no', like 'No emplear el móvil'.
Correct: For commands, use the subjunctive: '¡No emplees el móvil!'
Why: The infinitive is used in impersonal commands (like signs), but personal negative commands require the subjunctive.
Mistake: Confusing the negative imperative with the present indicative, e.g., 'Tú no empleas ese tono'.
Correct: For a negative command, it should be '¡No emplees ese tono!'
Why: Indicative states facts or opinions; subjunctive (used here) expresses a command or wish.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'emplear' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: empleo
The present tense of emplear (empleo, empleas, emplea...) is used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: empleé
The preterite of emplear is regular: empleé, empleaste, empleó, empleamos, empleasteis, emplearon.
Imperfect
yo: empleaba
The imperfect of emplear (empleaba, empleabas...) describes past habits or ongoing situations.
Future
yo: emplearé
The future tense of emplear (emplearé, emplearás...) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: emplearía
The conditional of emplear (emplearía, emplearías...) expresses hypotheticals, polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: emplee
The present subjunctive of emplear (emplee, emplees, empleemos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: empleara
The imperfect subjunctive of emplear (empleara/emplease) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: emplea
Use the imperative of emplear for direct commands: ¡emplea!, ¡emplee!, ¡empleemos!, ¡empleen!, ¡emplead!