אל + Future Form
Negative Instructions
אל תלך means do not go. The form after אל matches the addressee, while לא תלך normally states that you will not go.
How It Works
Choose the Addressee
Use אל תכתוב to one male addressee, אל תכתבי to one female addressee and אל תכתבו to several addressees. These are future-shaped forms used for a prohibition. They are not a separate negative imperative made by putting אל before כתוב.
Instruction or Statement?
אל תפתחי את הדלת asks or tells a woman not to open the door. לא אפתח את הדלת states I will not open it. Tone and context can make לא-future wording sound like an instruction too; the useful initial distinction is the ordinary prohibition pattern.
Politeness and Scope
בבקשה can soften the request, but the prohibited action still follows אל. אל תכתבו כאן means do not write here, not do not write anywhere. אל תהיי עצובה uses the learned female singular form of be; it does not combine אל with a present adjective alone.
Examples (4)
- אל תכתוב כאן.
Do not write here.
The instruction addresses one male listener.
- אל תכתבי על הדף הזה.
Do not write on this page.
תכתבי addresses one female listener.
- אל תפתחו את הדלת.
Do not open the door.
The ordinary plural form addresses several listeners.
- בבקשה, אל תדברי עכשיו.
Please do not speak now.
The female singular future-shaped form follows אל.
Common Mistakes
Putting אל before the positive imperative.
אל כתבי כאן.אל תכתבי כאן.The ordinary prohibition uses אל plus future-shaped תכתבי.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Distinguish a negative instruction with אל from an ordinary negated future statement.
Related Patterns
Practice אל + Future Form in Bubblegum
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