estrechar Negative Imperative Conjugation
estrechar — to shake hands
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands: ¡no estreches!, ¡no estrechemos!, ¡no estrechen!, ¡no estrechéis!
estrechar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This is for telling someone NOT to do something. For 'estrechar', you might say 'No estreches su mano si no lo conoces' (Don't shake his hand if you don't know him).
Notes on estrechar in the Negative Imperative
Negative commands always use the present subjunctive form of the verb. Estrechar follows this rule perfectly and is regular here.
Example Sentences
¡No estreches la mano a desconocidos!
Don't shake hands with strangers!
tú
No estrechemos lazos incorrectos.
Let's not form incorrect connections.
nosotros
Por favor, no estrechen la mano de esa manera.
Please, don't shake hands in that manner.
ustedes
¡No estrechéis papeles importantes!
Don't staple important papers!
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive 'no estrechar' instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: For negative commands to specific people (tú, usted, etc.), you need the present subjunctive: 'no estreches', 'no estreche'.
Why: The infinitive 'no estrechar' is not a command directed at anyone.
Mistake: Confusing the tú negative command 'no estreches' with the él/ella/usted form 'no estreche'.
Correct: Remember that 'no estreches' is for 'tú' and 'no estreche' is for 'usted' or 'él/ella'.
Why: These forms are distinct and used for different addressees.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estrecho
The present tense of estrechar is regular: estrecho, estrechas, estrecha, estrechamos, estrecháis, estrechan.
Preterite
yo: estreché
The preterite of estrechar is regular: estreché, estrechaste, estrechó, estrechamos, estrechasteis, estrecharon.
Imperfect
yo: estrechaba
The imperfect of estrechar is regular: estrechaba, estrechabas, estrechaba, estrechábamos, estrechabais, estrechaban.
Future
yo: estrecharé
The future tense of estrechar is regular: estrecharé, estrecharás, estrechará, estrecharemos, estrecharéis, estrecharán.
Conditional
yo: estrecharía
The conditional of estrechar is regular: estrecharía, estrecharías, estrecharía, estrecharíamos, estrecharíais, estrecharían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: estreche
The present subjunctive of estrechar (estreche, estreches, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: estrechara
The imperfect subjunctive of estrechar (estrechara/estrechase) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estrecha
Use the imperative of estrechar for direct commands: ¡estrecha!, ¡estrechemos!, ¡estrechen!, ¡estrechad!