Mixing up Formal and Informal

"Olviden" is the polite way to tell a group of people ('ustedes') to forget something. It uses the same verb form as the 'ellos/ellas' Present Subjunctive.

The Formal Plural Command

For negative commands (telling people *not* to do something), you just add 'no' in front: 'No olviden' (Don't forget).

Negative Commands are Easy

If you forget something yourself, use the reflexive form: 'Se me olvidó la cartera' (I forgot my wallet, literally 'the wallet forgot itself to me'). 'Olviden' is used only when commanding others.

Using 'se' for Self-Correction

Extremely common, used daily in requests and polite commands directed at groups.

Using the Wrong Mood

This form is used in the special 'subjunctive mood' when the action of forgetting is uncertain, desired, or tied to strong emotion, usually after a verb like 'hope,' 'doubt,' or 'want.'

The Subjunctive Mood

Look for trigger phrases like 'Espero que' (I hope that), 'Dudo que' (I doubt that), or 'Quiero que' (I want that) followed by 'olviden' when the subject is 'they' or 'ustedes'.

Trigger Phrases

Commonly used in complex sentences that express doubt, desire, or necessity.

'Olviden' is a key form of the verb 'olvidar' (to forget). Learn how to use it as a polite plural command ('Forget!') and as the third-person plural form in the Spanish subjunctive mood.

olviden

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

future

conditional

imperfect

present

preterite

subjunctive

imperfect

present

imperative

negative

affirmative

Practice Conjugations