What Are English Imperatives?

Imperatives are special verb forms that tell someone directly what to do or not to do. They are like direct orders or instructions.

Think of them as verbs that speak directly to “you” (the listener) without actually saying the word “you.”

• Come here! (A command)
• Read the instructions carefully. (An instruction)
• Be quiet, please. (A request)

How Do We Form Positive Imperatives?

Forming a positive imperative is very simple. You just use the base form of the verb.

The base form is the verb without to (like go, not to go) and without any -s o -ing endings.

• Go
• Eat
• Listen
• Wait

You do not add a subject (like I, you, he) because the subject is always understood to be “you.”

How Do We Form Negative Imperatives?

To tell someone NOT to do something, we use Don’t before the base form of the verb.

Don’t is a short form of Do not.

• Don’t go!
• Don’t eat that!
• Don’t listen to him!
• Don’t wait for me!

When Do We Use Imperatives?

Imperatives are used in many different situations. Here are the most common ones:

• Commands: To tell someone what to do directly.
  • Stop talking!
  • Close the window.
• Instructions: To explain how to do something.
  • First, mix the ingredients. Then, bake for 30 minutes.
  • Turn left at the corner.
• Requests: To ask for something, often with please.
  • Please help me.
  • Pass the salt, please.
• Advice or Suggestions: To tell someone what is a good idea.
  • Eat more vegetables.
  • Don’t worry about it.
• Warnings: To tell someone about a danger.
  • Look out!
  • Don’t touch that wire!

Can Imperatives Be Polite?

Yes, imperatives can be very polite! You can make an imperative softer and more polite by adding the word please.

You can put please at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

• Please sit down.
• Open the book, please.
• Please don’t be late.
• Don’t forget your keys, please.

Ejemplos

• Listen carefully.
• Come here.
• Don’t forget your homework.
• Please wait for me.
• Be quiet!
• Don’t run in the halls.
• Turn off the lights when you leave.
• Have a good day!
• Don’t worry, everything will be fine.

Práctica

Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes

Spanish speakers sometimes make a few common mistakes when using English imperatives:

• Adding a subject: In Spanish, you often use “tú” or “usted” with commands. In English, we do NOT use a subject with imperatives.
  • Incorrecto: You go there. (This is a statement, not an imperative.)
  • Correcto: Go there.
• Using the infinitive: Sometimes learners might use to + verb. Remember to use only the base form.
  • Incorrecto: To open the door.
  • Correcto: Open the door.
• Using “No” instead of “Don’t”: For negative imperatives, always use Don’t.
  • Incorrecto: No touch!
  • Correcto: Don’t touch!

Preguntas más frecuentes

What is an imperative in English?

An imperative is a verb form used to give a direct command, instruction, request, or advice, like “Stop!” o “Please listen.”

Can imperatives be polite?

Yes, you can make imperatives polite by adding “please” at the beginning or end of the sentence, for example, “Please come in.”

Do imperatives have a subject?

No, imperatives do not have an explicit subject. The subject “you” is always understood. For example, in “Sit down,” it means “(You) sit down.”

How do I make an imperative negative?

To make an imperative negative, you put “Don’t” (o “Do not”) before the base form of the verb, as in “Don’t worry.”

Are imperatives only for commands?

No, while they are often used for commands, imperatives also express instructions, requests, advice, warnings, and even good wishes, like “Have a nice day!”

Related lessons

• Imperatives