What Are English Imperatives?
Imperatives are a special type of verb form. We use them when we want to tell someone to do something, or not to do something.
- They are direct and clear.
- They do not usually have a subject like “I,” “you,” or “he.” The subject “you” is understood.
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How Do We Form Affirmative Imperatives?
To make an affirmative imperative, you use the base form of the verb. This is the simplest form of the verb, without “to” and without any endings like “-s” or “-ing.”
- Just use the verb as it is.
- For example, the base form of “to go” is “go.”
How Do We Form Negative Imperatives?
To make a negative imperative, you add “Don’t” before the base form of the verb. This tells someone not to do something.
- The structure is always Don’t + base form of the verb.
- “Don’t” is a contraction of “do not.”
When Do We Use Imperatives?
Imperatives are very versatile. We use them in many different situations to communicate effectively.
- Giving Commands: “Stop talking!”
- Giving Instructions: “Turn left at the next corner.”
- Making Requests: “Please help me.” (Adding “please” makes it polite.)
- Giving Advice or Suggestions: “Eat more vegetables.”
- Giving Warnings: “Watch out!”
How Can We Make Imperatives More Polite?
Imperatives can sometimes sound very direct. To make them softer and more polite, you can add “please.”
- You can put “please” at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.
- “Please sit down.”
- “Sit down, please.”
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Base Form of Verb | Come here! |
| Negative | Don’t + Base Form of Verb | Don’t worry! |
| Polite Affirmative | Please + Base Form | Please wait. |
| Polite Negative | Please + Don’t + Base Form | Please don’t go. |
Examples
- Open the book to page 10.
- Don’t forget your keys.
- Listen carefully to the instructions.
- Please close the door quietly.
- Don’t walk on the grass.
- Be careful!
- Don’t be late for class.
Practice
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Take our FREE Placement TestCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish speakers sometimes make specific mistakes when using English imperatives:
- Adding ‘You’: In Spanish, you often include the subject pronoun. In English imperatives, we usually don’t.
Incorrect: You open the door.
Correct: Open the door. - Using ‘No’ for Negative: The negative form is “Don’t,” not “No.”
Incorrect: No touch that.
Correct: Don’t touch that. - Using the Infinitive: Imperatives use the base form of the verb, not the infinitive with “to.”
Incorrect: To sit down.
Correct: Sit down.
Frequently asked questions
Do imperatives always sound rude?
No, not always. While they are direct, the tone of voice, context, and adding “please” can make them polite. For example, “Please come in” is a polite invitation.
Can I use imperatives with ‘let’s’?
Yes, “Let’s” (short for “let us”) is used to make a suggestion that includes yourself and others. For example, “Let’s go to the park.” This is a type of imperative.
Are imperatives only for present actions?
Imperatives typically refer to actions that should happen immediately or in the future. For example, “Call me tomorrow” refers to a future action.
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