No me des explicaciones - why subjunctive?

Question

I'm in a situation and I'm trying to explain why things are the way they are. She says "No me des explicaciones". Now, in English I would say "You don't have to give me an explanation" or "You don't owe me an explanation" or in this case "don't give me explanations".

My question is, why did she tell me No me des explicaciones in the subjunctive? I'm not understanding the 'mood' in this case.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Jack

Answer 1

Well, I hadn't realized this before but now that I think about it, I think (maybe lazaruz or someone else can conffirm) that every negative command have to use subjuntive:

For example:

¡No juegues en la tierra!

¡No le des tus cosas!

¡No intentes detenerme!

¡No metas en esto a tu hermano!

¡No inventes cosas!

Very interesting question Jack, I hope this helps and again, my answer is empirical.

¡Qué buena pregunta!

Your observation is correct. :) - Izanoni1, Jun 29, 2011

Thanks Izan. ;) - Dakie, Jun 29, 2011

Answer 2

dakie, you are correct.

Negatives use the subjunctive for all. But I'd like to point out that tú and vos imperatives in the positive aspect are the only conjugations that don't used subjunctives for the positive imperative.

For a better understanding consult this site.

I concur - Izanoni1, Jun 29, 2011

If you don't consider nosotros commands like vamos, vámonos (exhortations), indirect commands, and other grammar annoyances - 0074b507, Jun 30, 2011

Answer 3

Don't give me explanations.

This is a negative tu command . Negative tu commands are formed with the tu form of the present subjunctive. the object pronoun me always goes before the verb in negative commands. --- Mickey

Answer 4

The conjugation for Tú in negative imperative is the same as that for Tú in present subjunctive.

Answer 5

The verb "dar" is in the imperative mood. It is used to give commands.

For more info, click here