prender Negative Imperative Conjugation
prender — to turn on
Use 'no prendas' for tú, 'no prendan' for ustedes to forbid someone from turning something on.
prender Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This form is used to tell someone *not* to do something. It's the opposite of a positive command. You'd use it to stop someone from turning on a noisy machine or a light that might disturb others.
Notes on prender in the Negative Imperative
Negative commands in Spanish are formed using the present subjunctive. So, 'prender' follows the rules of the present subjunctive for its negative imperative forms.
Example Sentences
No prendas la cámara durante la función.
Don't turn on the camera during the show.
tú
Por favor, no prenda el aire acondicionado todavía.
Please, don't turn on the air conditioning yet.
usted
No prendamos las luces hasta que sea necesario.
Let's not turn on the lights until it's necessary.
nosotros
No prendan los motores hasta que yo dé la señal.
Don't turn on the engines until I give the signal.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive: 'No prender la luz'.
Correct: Use the subjunctive form: 'No prendas la luz'.
Why: Commands, even negative ones, require a conjugated verb form that matches the person being addressed.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'no': 'Prenda el equipo'.
Correct: If you mean to forbid it, say 'No prenda el equipo'.
Why: The word 'no' is essential to make the command negative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: prendo
Use 'prendo', 'prendes', 'prende' for actions happening now or habitually, like 'I turn on the TV'.
Preterite
yo: prendí
Use 'prendí', 'prendiste', 'prendió' for completed actions like 'I turned on the light'.
Imperfect
yo: prendía
Use 'prendía' for ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'I used to turn on'.
Future
yo: prenderé
Use 'prenderé', 'prenderás' for actions that will happen, like 'I will turn on'.
Conditional
yo: prendería
Use 'prendería' for hypothetical situations, like 'I would turn on'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prenda
Use 'prenda' for wishes, doubts, or emotions, like 'I hope you turn on'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: prendiera
Use 'prendiera' or 'prendiera' for past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'if I turned on'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prende
Use 'prende' for tú, 'prendan' for ustedes to command someone to turn something on.