esquivar Negative Imperative Conjugation
esquivar — to dodge
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no esquives (tú), no esquive (usted), etc.
esquivar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use the negative imperative to tell someone *not* to do something, like 'don't dodge' or 'don't avoid'. It's a prohibition.
Notes on esquivar in the Negative Imperative
Like all negative commands, 'esquivar' uses the present subjunctive. The forms are regular based on the subjunctive conjugation: no esquive, no esquives, no esquivemos, no esquiven, no esquivéis.
Example Sentences
No esquives la conversación, hablemos.
Don't dodge the conversation, let's talk.
tú
No esquive el problema, enfréntalo.
Don't dodge the problem, face it.
usted
No esquivéis la verdad.
Don't dodge the truth.
vosotros
No esquivemos la responsabilidad.
Let's not dodge the responsibility.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'no esquives' (tú), not 'no esquivar'.
Why: Negative commands always require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'no'.
Correct: Always precede the verb with 'no' for negative commands.
Why: The 'no' is essential to make the command negative.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'esquivar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: esquivo
The present tense (esquivo) describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: esquivé
The preterite of esquivar is regular: esquivé, esquivaste, esquivó, esquivamos, esquivasteis, esquivaron.
Imperfect
yo: esquivaba
The imperfect (esquivaba) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: esquivaré
The future tense (esquivaré) expresses what will happen.
Conditional
yo: esquivaría
The conditional (esquivaría) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: esquive
The present subjunctive (esquive) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: esquivara
The imperfect subjunctive (esquivara/esquivase) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: esquiva
Use 'esquiva' (tú), 'esquive' (usted), 'esquivemos' (nosotros), 'esquiven' (ustedes), 'esquivad' (vosotros), 'esquivéis' (vosotros, Spain).