Verb conjugation : should the negative (tú) command be included?

Question

This is another dumb question . . .

I'm wondering why when I go to the "verb conjugation" portion of this Web site that the "Imperative" (Command) conjugation only shows/lists the familiar (tú) conjugation in the affirmative form and does not list the familiar (tú) conjugation in the negative form, which is different. I realize that I can "click" on the word "Imperative" to get this additional conjugation (negative familiar (tú) form) but, it seems incomplete to not list it in the verb conjugation portion of this site as do most grammar/verb conjugation references.

Respectfully Pajaro - tenses refer to time/period when the action takes place. Imperative is a mood, a variation according to how you are using the verb. Negative/affirmative is sometimes referred to as grammatical polarity - it is or it isn't. - geofc, May 14, 2010

Gracias geofc. I appreciate your feedback and correction--I'm here to learn! - Pajaro44, May 15, 2010

Answer 1

I agree that it would be helpful to list the negative tú and usted commands. If they can list the imperative commands, why not just add the negative ones as well.

It's the purpose of the conjugation table to show the conjugations, not as Izanoni says, allow you to figure them out by looking to the subjunctive form.

How about if a student doesn't know how to do that?

I agree. - danrivera, May 15, 2010

Answer 2

Hi Pájaro, very good point, and Jeff is right, imperative is a mood.

However, your point is excellent, I checked the RAE and it does list all the forms, even the "vos" form:

IMPERATIVO

habla (tú) / hablá (vos)

hablad (vosotros) / hablen (ustedes)

It does not mention the negative form, but the verb is never conjugated on any table in the negative form.

Hmmm, I took your word for granted...jeje, but our conjugator does show all forms including the formal commands:

does not list the formal (Ud.) conjugation at all

Imperative

habla hable (UD) hablemos hablad hablen (Ustedes)

Heidita, thank you for your posting. You are absolutely correct in stating that your conjugator does list the formal (Ud.) commands. Apparently, I just didn't understand how to read the conjugation table for the Imperative! - Pajaro44, May 15, 2010

I have rephrased my original question based on this information. I still would like to see some note or comment on the conjugation table that indicates that negative tú commands are different than affirmative tú commands. - Pajaro44, May 15, 2010

Answer 3

Hola Pajaro44

With the exception of affirmative 2nd person commands (i.e. tú and vosotros), all affirmative and negative commands follow the conjugation of the present subjunctive, so in essence, it is really only necessary to list these two tenses for the imperative because to list the other tenses would simply be to redundantly list the subjunctive twice.

Here is a link that you might find helpful to read regarding the formation of the imperative: direct commands