\[x^{2} + 4x - a = 0\]
\[D < 0:\]
\[D = 4^{2} - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot ( - a) = 16 + 4a\]
\[16 + 4a < 0\]
\[4a < - 6\]
\[\ a < - 4\]
\[Ответ:a \in ( - \infty;\ - 4).\]