Negative Imperative
Grammar Notes
The negative imperative tense in Hebrew uses the word followed by the future tense of the verb that matches the subject's gender and number:
! – Do not eat that!
The normal imperative forms are not used at all in the negative.
📖 Story: Don't! 10 sentences · 3 questions
Don't!
- Mom leaves for work, and Ron stays home alone.
- "Don't open the door to anyone," she says.
- "Don't eat the whole cake, and don't play on the computer all day."
- "And don't forget to feed the dog!"
- "Don't worry, Mom,"
- says Ron.
- In the evening Mom comes home, and there is no cake.
- "You told me not to eat the whole cake,"
- says Ron.
- "So I ate half, and the dog ate half!"
Questions
Who stays home alone?
What does Mom NOT tell Ron?
What happened to the cake?
Practice
The rule
"Don't!" – + the future form (never the imperative): , not .
| man | woman | group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| don't go | |||
| don't worry |
Each sentence shows the rule. Listen, say it after the voice, then tap the grey bar for the meaning and a note on the rule. The pattern quiz blanks out the key form.
Sentences
- – Don't worry (to a man) · אל + future
- – Don't worry (to a woman) · woman → −י
- – Don't forget the key · future form, not שכח
- – Don't go alone · future form, not לך
- – Don't eat that (to a group) · group → −ו
- – Don't open the door · future form
- – Don't tell him (to a woman) · woman → −י
- – Don't talk in class (to a group) · group → −ו