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I just found a sentence that is:

Non avere paura! Il suo cane è buono.

However, what is the mood of the verb avere? The meaning is pretty clear but it sounds like an imperative form. In that case, it should be:

Non abbi paura! Il suo cane è buono.

So what mood is it?

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  • 1
    It's the imperative. See this other question.
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:41
  • 2
    In Italian, the negative form of the imperative is constructed with the infinitive.
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:46
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    Yes, it's always that way.
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:49
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    See, for instance, aulalingue.scuola.zanichelli.it/benvenuti/2010/06/03/….
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:50
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    I see... The relevant information is that you should use the infinitive when constructing the negative form of an imperative.
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 26, 2016 at 0:06

2 Answers 2

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The verb is at the imperative because when you face an imperative in the negative form (example in English: Do not feed the animals), the imperative becomes infinite:

Non fumare/Vietato fumare (Do not smoke).

Non dare da mangiare agli animali (Do not feed the animals).

Non avere paura (Do not be afraid).

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  • 1
    Why a "strong" negation?
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:53
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    I would simply say something like "the negative form of an imperative".
    – Charo ♦
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:55
  • It's used also with simple negations but imperative is often used with exclamations, prohibitions, strong suggestions,... Moreover, as in English, if you read "Don't worry" or "Do not worry" you can feel the difference of expressivity in the two sentences
    – user2956
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:56
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It depends on who are you talking with. If you are talking to a friend you can use "Non aver(e) paura!"

"Non abbia paura!" is much more formal.

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