THE FORM AND USE OF

THE IMPERATIVE
 In English, as in many other languages, we can influence the
person we are speaking to by prompting them to perform or
to not perform a specific action. The most direct way of doing
this is through use of the imperative, as the name of this
verbal mood indicates. The imperative mood in English is
generally used to give an order, to prompt someone to do
something, to give a warning or to give instructions.
 There are several distinguishable forms of the imperative in
English: affirmative, negative, and exhortative, as well as the
more cordial ways of expressing an order. Let’s look at the
characteristics of each of these together.
 What is the imperative tense in English?

 In English grammar, the imperative mood is the form of the

verb that makes direct commands and requests, such as
"Sit still" and "Count your blessings." The imperative mood
uses the zero infinitive form, which (with the exception of be)
is the same as the second person in the present tense
 Imperative verbs are verbs that create an imperative sentence
(i.e. a sentence that gives an order or command). When
reading an imperative sentence, it will always sound like the
speaker is bossing someone around. 
 AFFIRMATIVE IMPERATIVES
 This is the most common and direct form of the imperative. There
is only second person singular and plural. It is formed by using the
infinitive of the verb without the “to“.
 Hurry up or you’ll miss the show!
 Switch the TV off.
 Put the flour, milk, and eggs in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
 Given that this is a very direct way to give orders, it can be
accompanied by other expressions such as just, please, and if you
don’t mind in order to soften the tone.
 Just wait for me here, please.
 Close the door, if you wouldn’t mind. 
 NEGATIVE IMPERATIVES

 The negative form of the affirmative imperative requires the addition

of the auxiliaries do + not (don’t in its contracted form) to be added
to the infinitive version of the verb without the “to“.
 Don’t be late!
 Do not go to work today.
 Don’t keep opening the fridge! 
 EXHORTATIVE IMPERATIVES

 More than an imperative, this imperative is an exhortation and only

applies to the first-person plural. In some cases, it is accompanied
by please. It is formed using the prefix Let’s + the infinitive of the
verb without “to” in the affirmative form.
 Let us observe a minute of silence, please.
 In the negative form, the addition of the negation not is required
between the prefix and the verb.
 Let’s not go in, please.
 When the prefix Let by a personal pronoun other than us, the
meaning changes to “allow”.
 Let me do the washing up for once. 
 USING THE IMPERATIVE FOR SUGGESTIONS…

 In some cases, the imperative can be used to give suggestions or to

make proposals. In these cases, we have two constructions:
 Let’s + infinitive verb without the “to” (Exhortative Imperative)
 Let’s not miss the train.
 Let’s take a holiday!
 Why don’t we + infinitive verb without the “to“
 Why don’t we go to the beach?
 Why don’t you tell her the truth?
 IMPERATIVE + PERSONAL PRONOUNS

 In some cases, a personal pronoun can be added to reinforce

the imperative value. But, be careful to not appear impolite.
This verbal form is only used for a strong and decisive order.
 Can I go home?
No, you wait another 10 minutes.
 Don’t you tell me what to do! 
 IMPERATIVE ADDRESSED TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE

 In some situations, we must speak to a clearly-defined group of

people. In that case, we can use words
like somebody , everybody, and all .
 Somebody call an ambulance. Quick!
 Everybody sit down, please.
 All rise! (used in courtrooms) 
 IMPERATIVE + DO

 In some cases, the auxiliary Do can be added to give a more

formal and courteous appearance to the imperative.
 Do come in!
 Do come and visit us next time.
 Do help yourselves to the buffet!
 HOW TO MEMORIZE THE USES OF THE IMPERATIVE IN ENGLISH

 Sometimes too much theory can be a little daunting. Don’t worry!

 We’ve made you a summary table to review the previous information and
to have the basic concepts together with concrete examples.
Type of Imperative Structure Example

Infinitive of the verb Come here right now, I

Affirmative imperative
(without the to) have to talk to you.

Don’t / Do not + verb in Don’t quit now, you’re so

Negative imperative the infinitive without close to the finish line,
the to) you have my support.
Exhortative imperative or to Let’s + infinitive (without Let’s leave this place please,
give a suggestion the to) I don’t feel comfortable.

Personal pronoun + verb in You don’t get to tell me how

Imperative + personal
the infinitive I’m supposed to feel after
pronoun
(without the to) everything we went through.

Everybody be quiet now,

Indefinite pronoun + verb in
Imperative directed at a please, the lesson is going to
the infinitive
group start soon.
(without the to)
 

Do help me with this, please.

Do + verb in the infinitive
Do + imperative I don’t even know where to
(without the to)
start. 
 Some examples
  invitation : Let her come to my party! I'll be delighted... = Qu'elle vienne à
ma fête ! Je serai ravi ...

 - public notice : Keep off the grass. = Pelouse interdite.

 - ordre : Listen when someone is speaking! = Ecoutez lorsque quelqu'un
parle ! 
 - instruction : Open your books, and on page 6, do exercise 3. = Ouvrez vos
livres et page 6, faites l'exercice 3. 
 - suggestion : Don't worry! = Ne vous inquiétez pas !
 - direction,orientation : Go straight on and then turn left. = Allez tout droit,
puis tournez à gauche.
 - warning : Don't play with that big dog... = Ne joue pas avec ce gros chien ...
 - request : Please, pass me the salt... Passe-moi le sel, s'il te plaît ...
 EXERCISES TO PRACTICE THE IMPERATIVE IN ENGLISH

 Put the following words in order to create sentences in the imperative.

 1. go / don’t /  it’s / late / outside / too
 ____________________
 2. that / in / don’t / the / to / open / door / cold / don’t / get / I / want
 ____________________
 3. are / late / we / going / hurry up / be / to
 ____________________
 4. they / up / I / volume / can’t / turn / saying / the / what / hear / are
 ____________________
 5. here / pass / from / bread / I / the / please / it / from / reach / can’t
 ____________________
 6. here / I / see / stay / you / where / can
 ____________________
 Answers

 Don’t go outside, it’s too late.

 Don’t open that door, I don’t want the cold to get in. 
 Hurry up, we are going to be late. 
 Turn the volume up, I can’t hear what they are saying. 
 Pass the bread please, I can’t reach it from here. 
 Stay here where I can see you.