You can use the imperative form to give an order, to give a warning or advice, and (if you use "please") to make a request.
To make the imperative, use the infinitive of the verb without 'to':
"Come here!"
"Sit down!"
To make a negative imperative, put "do not" or "don't" before the verb:
"Don't go!"
"Do not walk on the grass."
The imperative can be used for all subjects (you, he, they and we), but you can also use "let's" before the verb if you are including yourself in the imperative:
"Let's stop now."
"Let's have some lunch."
The negative of "let's" is "let's not":
"Let's not argue!
"Let's not tell her about it."
Orders
Adults do not usually give each other orders, unless they are in a position of authority. The intonation of an order is important: each word is stressed, and the tone falls at the end of the sentence:
"Sit down now!" ('Sit', 'down' and 'now' are all stressed, and the tone falls on 'now'.)
However, adults can give orders to children and to animals:
Here are some orders you could give your pet dog:
"Come here!"
"Sit!"
"Heel!"
"Fetch!"
Warnings
You can use the imperative to warn someone of danger. All the words in the warning are stressed, but the last word has a higher tone than the first word:
"Watch out!"
"Look out!"
"Don't cross!"
Advice
When you give advice using the imperative, the words are stressed normally:
"Eat an apple – it's much better for you than a biscuit!"
"Don't tell him you're resigning now! Wait until Monday when he's in a better mood."
You can often read articles in magazines that give advice on a subject. Sometimes, this advice is presented as "Dos and don'ts".
For example:
Travelling long-distance
Do try to sleep well the night before
Do drink plenty of water
Do try to walk about the plane during the flight
Don't drink alcohol
Don't eat heavy meals
Don't wear restrictive clothing
Requests
You can also use the imperative to make a request, but you should use a polite word before the verb:
"Please take a seat."
"Please wait here."
"Please hold the line."
"Please don't smoke here."
In written English, you might also see "Kindly" used as a polite word:
"Kindly return the documents as soon as possible."
"Kindly forward this to the Sales and Marketing department."
"Kindly send me 2 copies of your brochure."
37 comments on “Using the imperative form”
thanks. It's usefull for me
plz tell me the difference between let and let's
thank you
moon »
Let = allow
He lets me use the internet (he allows me to use the internet)
Let's = suggestion
Let's go to the cinema!
hi!I could not understand this sentence ;
Do try to sleep well.
How can they(two verbs:do and try) be used in a sentence?
it looks strange to me.could u pls explain it?
nihal » You can use "do" to add emphasis to the imperative.
Is there any passive forms for present perfect continuous
hi… this is very useful for me…but please tell me about let and let's..
ALI ESMAIL » No – there would be too many auxiliary verbs.
karthi » Let's = imperative. "Let's go to the cinema tonight."
Lets = 3rd person singular of verb "to let": He lets his children stay up late.
thank you
this site is very useful…congrat!
Hi , this site is really wonderful website, I would like to know what is different let's go …and let us go… ; what is the past of let? thank you
Let's go = short form of "let us go". The past of "let" is "let".
Which one is the correct way?
Let her to talk OR Let her talk.
"Let her talk" is correct.
Imperative forms are so interesting! I love them.
I am now conducting a research on giving orders to beginning-level students…The information provided in this site is awsome..Thanks for any writer of the information…..
I liked the site and all the comments. please keep helping people.
Hi.. I am a English student and I'm gonna start to teach some students, one of my subjects is the imperative form.. Can you give me an specific order I can use to explain this subject?
Open your books please!
Turn to page 35.
Let's start reading.
Hi could u pls tell me the diff bw "don't" and "do not".
Don't is the abbreviated form of Do not. In imperatives, if you say "Do not…" you'll emphasise the imperative.
hi.
would IS be an imperitive word. used in the sentence:
" a new cinderella IS born" ? thanks
No, it's a passive form.
very useful, thanks
What are the meanings of "Heel" and "Fetch"?
They're commands you'd give your dog. "Heel!" means "Walk by me – not in front" and "Fetch!" means "Go and get the stick."
thank's its agood information
thanks
can we write the sentence
listen to me carefully as
listen me carefully
No, you need "to".
"…It helped me a lot…"
when is the imperative form the best choice to use?
1.when u dont have all facts
2.when stressing immediately
3.when creating an inclusive tone
4.when giving an order
4
What dose "imperative" mean?
It means "an order".
we use let me do it or let them do it
can we use let you do it
We don't use "let" with "you".
