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Unit 18
Imperatives
Commands, instructions & requests
What are Imperatives?
Imperatives are verb forms used to give commands, instructions, requests, warnings, or advice. They are direct and powerful.
Examples: Open the window. / Don't touch that. / Please sit down. / Be careful!
How to Form Imperatives
| Type | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Base verb (no subject) | Sit down. / Close the door. / Listen carefully. |
| Negative | Do not / Don't + base verb | Don't run. / Do not open this file. |
| Polite request | Please + base verb / base verb + please | Please wait here. / Come in, please. |
| Emphatic / serious | Do + base verb | Do be quiet! / Do try the cake! |
Key Rules
- No subject needed: The subject is always "you" (understood). ✅ Come here. ❌ You come here.
- Always use the base form: No -s, no -ing, no -ed. ✅ Be quiet. ❌ Being quiet.
- Negative = Don't + base verb: ✅ Don't worry. ❌ Not worry. / Don't worrying.
- "Please" makes it polite: It can go at the start or end. Please close the door. / Close the door, please.
Common Uses of Imperatives
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Commands | Stop! / Sit down! / Be quiet! |
| Instructions | Turn left. / Add two eggs. / Press the green button. |
| Requests | Please help me. / Pass the salt, please. |
| Warnings | Watch out! / Don't touch that! / Be careful! |
| Advice | Take an umbrella. / Don't eat too much sugar. |
| Invitations | Come in! / Help yourself. / Have a seat. |
| Directions | Go straight on. / Turn right at the lights. / Take the second exit. |
Don't Be..., Always..., Never...
- The negative of be is also don't be: Don't be late. Don't be shy. (not
Be not late/Not be late) - Always / Never go before the verb: Always wear a seatbelt. Never open emails from strangers.
- Signs often use No + -ing instead of a full imperative: No smoking. No parking. = Don't smoke. Don't park.
Being Polite: Imperatives Can Sound Rude
In Turkish, a short imperative like "Kapıyı kapat." is often fine. In English, a bare imperative to a stranger, a colleague or a teacher can sound rude. Make it softer:
| Direct (friends, instructions) | Polite (most situations) | Very polite |
|---|---|---|
| Close the door. | Close the door, please. | Could you close the door, please? |
| Wait here. | Please wait here. | Would you mind waiting here? |
| Give me a coffee. | Can I have a coffee, please? | Could I have a coffee, please? |
Let's — Inclusive Imperative
- Let's + base verb includes the speaker: Let's go! / Let's have lunch together. / Let's not argue.
- Negative: Let's not + base verb: Let's not be late. / Let's not waste time.
- Let's is short for Let us — it is used to suggest doing something together.
Examples
Subject
Verb
Auxiliary
Object
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Hover over any word to see its role.
verbOpenobjectthe window
↳ Affirmative — base verb, no subject
auxiliaryDon'tverbtouchobjectthat
↳ Negative — don't + base verb
Pleaseverbsitadverbdown
↳ Polite — please + base verb
auxiliaryDon'tverbbeadjectivelate
↳ Negative of "be" — don't be
Let'sverbhaveobjectlunchadverbtogether
↳ Let's — a suggestion that includes the speaker
Common Mistakes
You sit down!
→
Sit down!
No subject in imperatives.
Don't to run.
→
Don't run.
"Don't" is already the negative marker — no "to".
Not open the door.
→
Don't open the door.
Negatives always use "don't", not just "not".
Being quiet, please.
→
Be quiet, please.
Use the base form, not -ing.
Sits down, everyone.
→
Sit down, everyone.
No -s ending on imperatives.
Let's to go now.
→
Let's go now.
"Let's" is followed directly by the base verb — no "to".
Please to help me.
→
Please help me.
"Please" is followed by the base verb — no "to".
Not be late!
→
Don't be late!
The negative imperative of "be" is "don't be".
Give me the menu. (to a waiter)
→
Could I have the menu, please?
A bare imperative can sound rude in a shop or restaurant.