Imperatives (Imperative Sentences)
📌 Lesson Contents
🎯 Lesson goal
In this lesson you will learn to use imperatives in English 📖 to give orders, advice, instructions and warnings clearly. You will learn how to make the affirmative and the negative 🧠 and when people really use them, and then you can test yourself at the bottom of the page! 🚀
🌟 What is the imperative?
We use the imperative to tell someone what to do (or what not to do). It is direct and practical, and it is always addressed to “you” (but you never write “you” in the sentence!).
✅ Affirmative imperative
Use only the base verb.
- Sit down! 🪑
- Open the window. 🪟
- Be quiet! 🤫
- Have a seat. ➔ (Please sit down.) ☕
🧠 Note: no “to” and no “you”.
❌ Negative imperative
Use Don’t + base verb.
- Don’t touch! 🛑
- Don’t be late. ⏰
- Don’t run! 🏃♂️
- Don’t move. 🧊
💡 When do we use the imperative?
The imperative is not only for giving commands. Here are the main real-life uses:
| Function | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Close the door! | Firm and direct 💪 |
| Instruction | Turn left here. | Clear and helpful 🧭 |
| Invitation | Come in! | Friendly 😊 |
| Advice | Take a break. | Kind 💬 |
| Warning | Watch out! | Urgent ⚠️ |
| Offer | Have a drink. | Polite 🥤 |
| Wish | Have a nice day! | Warm ☀️ |
🧩 Summary table – Imperatives
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | base verb | Be careful! |
| Negative | Don’t + base verb | Don’t shout! |
| Inclusive (we) | Let’s + verb | Let’s go! |
❓ Frequent questions
- Do I need to write “you”?
➔ No! It is always understood. - How do I give a polite order?
➔ Add “please” (e.g. Please, sit down. 🪑). - How do I include myself in the action?
➔ Use Let’s (e.g. Let’s start! 🚀).
🚫 Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake ❌ | Correct ✅ |
|---|---|
| Don’t to run! | Don’t run! |
| Be to careful! | Be careful! |
| Let us to go. | Let’s go. |
Gap Fill & Translation Exercises
Test yourself! In the first 15 sentences, write the correct imperative form. In the last 5, write the sentence in English from the clues.