esperar Negative Imperative Conjugation
esperar — to wait for
The negative imperative of esperar uses the present subjunctive: no esperes, no espere, no esperemos, no esperéis, no esperen.
esperar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use this to tell someone not to wait for you or not to expect something. It is always preceded by 'no'.
Notes on esperar in the Negative Imperative
Esperar is regular. Note that the 'tú' form 'no esperes' is different from the affirmative 'espera'.
Example Sentences
No esperes por mí si llego tarde.
Don't wait for me if I'm late.
tú
No esperen milagros sin trabajar duro.
Don't expect miracles without working hard.
ustedes
No esperemos más, vamos a entrar.
Let's not wait any longer, let's go in.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: no espera (for tú)
Correct: no esperes
Why: Negative commands for 'tú' must use the subjunctive form, not the indicative form used in affirmative commands.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: espero
The present tense of esperar is regular: espero, esperas, espera, esperamos, esperáis, esperan.
Preterite
yo: esperé
The preterite of esperar is regular: esperé, esperaste, esperó, esperamos, esperasteis, esperaron.
Imperfect
yo: esperaba
The imperfect of esperar uses standard -aba endings: esperaba, esperabas, esperaba, esperábamos, esperabais, esperaban.
Future
yo: esperaré
The future of esperar uses the infinitive as the stem: esperaré, esperarás, esperará, esperaremos, esperaréis, esperarán.
Conditional
yo: esperaría
The conditional of esperar is regular: esperaría, esperarías, esperaría, esperaríamos, esperaríais, esperarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: espere
The present subjunctive of esperar uses -e endings: espere, esperes, espere, esperemos, esperéis, esperen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: esperara
The imperfect subjunctive of esperar is formed from 'esperaron': esperara, esperaras, esperara, esperáramos, esperarais, esperaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: espera
The affirmative imperative of esperar uses: espera (tú), espere (usted), esperemos (nosotros), esperad (vosotros), esperen (ustedes).