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. Imperative verbs don’t leave room for questions or discussion, even if the sentence has a polite tone.
Use the root form of the verb to create the imperative. Consider the examples below:
Clean your room!
Do your homework.
Take the dog for a walk, please.
Don’t touch that!
Do come to visit us whenever you’re in town.
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.
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!
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