Grammar: Verbs - Imperative

Section: Understanding the Imperative

 The imperative is used in French to give commands, instructions, or express wishes.
 The French imperative only exists in the second person singular (tu), first person plural (nous),
and second person plural (vous) forms.
 For -er verbs and all verbs conjugated like them, including aller, the ‘tu’ form of the imperative
is the present tense without the final -s. For instance, parle (speak!).
 The imperative for -ir, -re verbs and all verbs conjugated like them, is the same as the present
tense. For instance, fais (do!) and prends (take!).
 The ‘nous’ and ‘vous’ forms of the imperative are the same as the present tense forms. For
instance, mangeons (let’s eat!) and mangez (eat! - formal or to a group).
Section: Negation in the Imperative
 To negate an imperative in French, place the negative particles ne and pas around the verb,
as in ne parle pas (don’t speak).
 In commands and instructions, it is common to omit the subject pronoun. For example, instead
of “tu vas là”, one would simply say “vas là!” (Go there!).
Section: Using Object Pronouns with the Imperative
 Direct and indirect object pronouns, as well as the pronouns y and en, come after the verb in
affirmative commands and are connected with a hyphen. For instance, Donne-le-moi (Give it
to me).
 In negative commands, these pronouns precede the verb. For example, Ne le lui donne
pas (Don’t give it to him).
Section: Reflective Verbs in the Imperative
 For reflexive verbs, the verb is conjugated normally, but the reflexive pronoun matches the
subject. For instance, “Lève-toi!” (Stand up!) - note that te becomes toi after the verb.
 In negative commands with reflexive verbs, the structure is the same as with other negative
commands. For example, Ne te lève pas! (Don’t get up!).
Section: The Irregular Imperatives
 There are several verbs with irregular imperative forms,
including être, avoir, savoir and vouloir. For instance, the imperative form
of être is sois, soyons, soyez (be).