What are Imperative Sentences?
Imperative sentences give commands, requests, instructions, or advice. They tell someone to do something. The subject is usually hidden — it's always 'you'. Imperative sentences often end with a period or exclamation mark. Common examples: 'Open the door,' 'Please help me,' 'Sit down.'
Imperative sentences give commands or requests, with an implied 'you' subject. They tell people to do something: 'Close the window,' 'Call me tomorrow,' 'Have a great day!'
- •Open the door.
- •Please sit down.
- •Stop!
- •Call me later.
- •I opened the door.
- •You sit down.
- •They stop.
- •He calls me.
Step-by-step worked examples
Turn off the light.
Start with the base verb form: 'turn'.
No subject ('you') is stated.
Direct instruction or command.Please bring me a coffee.
'Please' makes it polite. Verb is 'bring'. It's still an imperative request.
Stop! Do not run!
Can use negation: 'do not' or 'don't'. Commands people to stop. Used for urgent instruction.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Which is an imperative sentence?
Q2.What is the hidden subject in 'Go away'?
Q3.How to negate an imperative?
Q4.Is 'Please help me' imperative?
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What are Imperative Sentences?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
You open the door. — Correct: Open the door. Imperatives don't use the subject 'you'.
Do you close the window. — Correct: Close the window. Questions use inversion; imperatives do not.
You must go away. — Correct: Go away. Imperatives use the base verb, not 'must'.
Please to sit down. — Correct: Please sit down. No 'to' in imperative verbs.
FAQ
What are imperative sentences?
Sentences that give commands, requests, or instructions. The subject 'you' is hidden. Example: 'Sit down.'
Do imperatives always end with an exclamation mark?
No. They can end with a period (.) or exclamation mark (!). 'Close the door.' vs 'Stop!' Both are imperative.
Can imperatives be questions?
No. Imperatives are direct commands or requests. 'Will you sit?' is a question, not imperative.
How to make an imperative negative?
Use 'don't' or 'do not' before the verb: 'Don't run.' 'Do not go there.'