🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Impératif?

Impératif (imperative mood) is a French verb form used to give commands, make requests, or give instructions. It drops the subject pronoun and uses only three forms: tu (familiar), nous (inclusive), and vous (formal/plural).

Short answer

Impératif gives commands without a subject pronoun. It has three forms: tu (informal), nous (let's), vous (formal). Regular verbs drop the final 's' from tu forms: 'Parle!' = 'Speak!'

Indicative vs. Imperative

Indicative (Statement)

•Tu parles (You speak)
•Nous mangeons (We eat)
•Vous allez (You go)

Imperative (Command)

•Parle! (Speak!)
•Mangeons! (Let's eat!)
•Allez! (Go!)

Step-by-step worked examples

Form imperative for 'Speak to your friend!' (tu form)

Indicative: Tu parles
Imperative drops 'tu' + removes final -s
Form: Parle!
Command: Parle à ton ami!

Create an inclusive command 'Let's eat' (nous form)

Indicative: Nous mangeons
Imperative uses nous form as-is
Command: Mangeons!
Meaning: Let's eat together

Formal command to multiple people 'Go!' (vous form)

Indicative: Vous allez
Imperative uses vous form as-is
Command: Allez!
Context: formal or plural group

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.What is the imperative form of 'tu manges' (you eat)?

Correct answer: C. Imperative: drop subject + remove final -s from regular -er verbs. Manger → Mange!

Q2.Which form is NOT used in imperative?

Correct answer: D. Imperative uses only tu, nous, and vous. Third person (il/elle) has no imperative form.

Q3.Translate 'Let's read!' (nous form)

Correct answer: B. Nous form: Nous lisons (indicative) → Lisons! (imperative, no subject).

Q4.Formal command to two people 'Listen!'

Correct answer: C. Vous form (formal/plural): Écoutez! Two or more people or formal singular.

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Common mistakes

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Including the subject pronoun in commands (Tu parle!). — Correct: Imperative never has a subject pronoun: Parle! not Tu parle!

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Confusing tu/vous forms. — Correct: Tu (informal one person) → Parle! Vous (formal/plural) → Parlez!

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Forgetting to drop the -s in tu forms (Manges!). — Correct: Regular -er verbs: manger → Mange! The -s is removed.

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Using third person forms as commands (Il parle!). — Correct: Imperative has no il/elle form. Use tu, nous, or vous only.

FAQ

What is impératif in French grammar?

The imperative mood for giving commands and instructions without a subject pronoun.

What are the three forms of the imperative?

Tu (informal), nous (inclusive 'let's'), and vous (formal or plural).

How do you form regular -er imperative in tu?

Take the indicative 'tu' form and remove the subject pronoun AND the final -s: tu parles → Parle!

Can you use the imperative with pronouns?

Yes, object pronouns attach to imperative verbs: Dis-moi! (Tell me!), Donne-lui! (Give to him!)