🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Imperative (Commands)?

The imperative is a verb form used to give commands, instructions, or requests. It directly tells someone what to do without using a subject pronoun like 'you'. Imperative sentences are how we make requests, give orders, or provide instructions in everyday English.

Short answer

The imperative is a grammatical mood used to give commands or instructions — it is the base form of the verb without a subject pronoun. Examples: 'Go!', 'Listen!', 'Close the door.' Imperatives are used for orders, requests, and instructions.

Imperative Sentence Structure

1
Base Verb
Start with the infinitive form
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2
Remove Subject
No 'you' in the sentence
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3
Add Effect
Can be positive order or negative (Don't...)
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4
Result
Direct command: 'Sit down!' or 'Don't run!'

Step-by-step worked examples

Tell someone to sit down.

Positive: Sit down!
Negative: Don't sit down!
Polite: Please sit down.

Give instructions for making tea.

Boil the water.
Add the tea bag.
Wait three minutes.
Drink it.

Write a street sign instruction.

Stop!
Do not enter.
Keep left.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Choose the correct imperative form.

Correct answer: C. Imperatives use the base verb form without a subject pronoun.

Q2.Which is the correct negative imperative?

Correct answer: B. Negative imperatives use 'Don't + base verb': 'Don't run!'

Q3.What is missing? ___ the instructions carefully.

Correct answer: B. Imperatives have no subject pronoun. Just the base verb: 'Read'.

Q4.Which sentence is an imperative?

Correct answer: C. 'Close the door!' is a command — that's the imperative.

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Common mistakes

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Using a subject pronoun: 'You go now!' — Correct: Imperatives have no subject: 'Go now!'

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Using the wrong verb form: 'Goes now!' — Correct: Use the base form: 'Go now!'

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Negative: 'Do not going' — Correct: Negative imperative: 'Don't go' or 'Do not go'

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Imperative is always rude. — Correct: Imperatives can be polite with 'please': 'Please sit down.'

FAQ

Is the imperative always a command?

No, it can also be a request ('Please help me'), an instruction ('Add salt'), or an offer ('Have a seat').

Can you soften an imperative?

Yes, use 'please', 'could', or 'would': 'Please close the door', 'Could you help me?'

What is the structure of an imperative sentence?

Base verb + object/adverbial: 'Close the window', 'Listen carefully', 'Sit down now'.

Is there a subject in an imperative?

The subject ('you') is understood but not written: 'Sit!' means '(You) sit!'