Imperatives
An imperative sentence is a sentence that gives the reader an instruction, makes a request, or issues a command.
1.Structure
1.1Sentence Structures
To form an imperative sentence, you need the base form of a verb (or bare infinitive).
| Full Infinitive | Bare Infinitive (Base Form) |
|---|---|
| to be | be |
| to eat | eat |
| to look | look |
| to sleep | sleep |
| to come | come |
Now we can create a sentence.
don't = do not
| Structure | Examples | |
|---|---|---|
| + Affirmative | Verb (Base Form) + ... | Be patient! Eat your lunch. Sleep tight! |
| - Negative | Do not / Don't + Verb (Base Form) + ... | Do not be late! Don't come home late. Don't drink too much. |
Test yourself
2.Use
2.1Instructions / Commands
We use imperative verbs to give instructions and commands - clear and direct steps.
| Example |
|---|
| Open the door. |
| Turn left at the corner. |
| Write your name on the paper. |
| Close the window. |
| Read the instructions carefully. |
| Press the button to start. |
| Take a deep breath. |
Test yourself
2.2Requests
It is a good idea to use please to make a request more polite.
| Example |
|---|
| Please show me how to do this. |
| Please turn off the light. |
| Please give me a moment. |
| Please tell me the time. |
| Please say that again. |
| Please wait here. |
Test yourself
2.3Prohibition (Ban)
When you want to tell someone not to do something, you use the negative imperative.
don't = do not
| Example |
|---|
| Do not open the door. |
| Don't touch that! |
| Do not pass notes in class. |
| Don't run in the hallway. |
| Do not speak too loudly. |
| Don't stand on the chair. |
Test yourself
3.Frequently asked questions
What is an imperative sentence in English, and when do you use it?
An imperative sentence starts with the base form of a verb and tells someone to do something: "Open the door." You use it for instructions, commands, requests and bans. For example: "Turn left at the corner" (instruction), "Be patient!" (command), "Please wait here" (request) and "Don't touch that!" (ban). Add please to make a request more polite. An imperative can end with a full stop or, for a strong order, an exclamation mark.
Why is there no 'you' in an imperative sentence?
An imperative sentence usually has no subject, because it is clear that you are talking to the listener: say "Sit down", not "You sit down". The same is true with please and in the negative: say "Please wait", not "Please you wait", and "Don't park here", not "You don't park here". "You don't park here" is a correct sentence, but it describes a fact; it is not an imperative.
Is it correct to say 'Please to wait' or 'Please waits' in an imperative?
No, an imperative uses the base form, with no to and no -s: say "Please wait", not "Please to wait" or "Please waits". The verb is the same whether you talk to one person or to a group: "Close the window", "Take a seat", "Write your name here". The past form and the -ing form are also wrong: say "Open the door", not "Opened the door" or "Opening the door".
How do you make a negative imperative: 'Don't run' or 'Don't running'?
"Don't run" is correct: a negative imperative is do not or don't plus the base form of the verb. Say "Don't touch that!", not "Don't touching that!" or "Don't to touch that!", and "Please don't smoke here", not "Please not smoke here". Always use do before not, and never doesn't: "Don't forget your keys", not "Doesn't forget your keys" or "Not forget your keys".
Do not or don't: what is the difference in imperative sentences?
Do not and don't mean the same in an imperative sentence, but do not sounds more formal or stronger than the short form don't. You often see do not on signs and in rules: "Do not run in the hallway", "Do not open the door". When you speak to a friend, you usually say don't: "Don't be late!" Both are followed by the base form of the verb.
