respaldar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
respaldar — to support
Use 'respalda' (tú), 'respalde' (usted), 'respaldemos' (nosotros), 'respalden' (ustedes), 'respaldad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
respaldar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
The imperative is for giving direct commands or instructions. For example, you'd use 'respalda' to tell a friend to support a cause.
Notes on respaldar in the Affirmative Imperative
Respaldar is regular in the imperative. Note the 'vosotros' form 'respaldad' is unique and often skipped in favor of 'ustedes' in Latin America.
Example Sentences
¡Respalda mi proyecto!
Support my project!
tú
Señor Pérez, respalde esta iniciativa.
Mr. Perez, support this initiative.
usted
Amigos, respaldemos la causa juntos.
Friends, let's support the cause together.
nosotros
Ustedes, respalden a los nuevos empleados.
You all, support the new employees.
ustedes
¡Chicos, respaldad a vuestro equipo!
Guys, support your team!
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive instead of the imperative for commands.
Correct: For direct commands like 'Support!', use the imperative forms (respalda, respalde, etc.), not the subjunctive (respaldes, respalde).
Why: The imperative is specifically for commands, while the subjunctive expresses doubt, desire, or emotion.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: respaldo
The present tense (respaldo, respaldas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, and general truths about support.
Preterite
yo: respaldé
The preterite of respaldar is regular: respaldé, respaldaste, respaldó, respaldamos, respaldasteis, respaldaron.
Imperfect
yo: respaldaba
The imperfect (respaldaba, respaldabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past support.
Future
yo: respaldaré
The future tense (respaldaré, respaldarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: respaldaría
The conditional (respaldaría, respaldarías, etc.) expresses 'would' support, politeness, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: respalde
The present subjunctive (respalde, respaldes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: respaldara
The imperfect subjunctive (respaldara/respaldase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Negative Imperative
yo: no respaldes
Use 'no respaldes' (tú), 'no respalde' (usted), 'no respaldemos' (nosotros), 'no respalden' (ustedes), 'no respaldéis' (vosotros) for negative commands.