ImperativeA1
The imperative gives instructions, directions, invitations and warnings with the base verb, Don't and Let's. The verb is the bare base form with no subject and no to: Open the door. Don't open it. Let's go.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A1: choose A1 or a higher level.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A1: choose A1 or a higher level.
CheatsheetA1
| Point | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | the base verb for every person, with no subject and no -s | Open the door. |
| Negative | Don't + V, also before be | Don't be late. |
| Suggestion | Let's + V: includes the speaker, invites others to join | Let's go to the beach. |
| Negative suggestion | Let's not + V | Let's not wait. |
| Use | instructions, directions, orders | Turn left and go straight on. |
| Use | invitations, offers, warnings | Come in. / Look out! |
| Politeness | please at the start or the end makes a request friendly | Please sit down. |
| Trap | after Don't and Let's: the base verb, no to | Don't open it. / Let's go. |
OverviewA1
- The imperative has no subject and no tense. The verb is in the base form.
Form: affirmativeA1
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| action verb | Sit down. / Close your books. |
| be | Be quiet. / Be careful. |
- The imperative is the base verb for every person: Come in. / Be quiet.
- A name or everybody opens the sentence to say who is spoken to: Tom, come here. / Everybody, listen.
Form: negativeA1
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Don't + V | Don't touch it. |
| Don't be + adjective | Don't be late. |
| Do not + V | Do not enter. |
- Don't goes before the base verb, also before be.
- Do not is the full form. Signs and notices use it.
Form: Let'sA1
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Let's + V | Let's go to the beach. |
| Let's not + V | Let's not wait. |
| Shall we + V? | Shall we eat now? |
| Answer | Example |
|---|---|
| agree | Yes, let's. / Good idea. |
| refuse | No, let's not. / Sorry, I can't. |
- Let's = let us. It includes the speaker and invites others to join.
UseA1
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Instructions | Add two eggs and mix well. |
| Directions | Turn left and go straight on. (US: go straight) |
| Invitations and offers | Come in. Have a seat. |
| Warnings | Look out! / Be careful! |
| Orders | Stop! / Listen, please. |
| Signs, notices | Keep off the grass. |
- For directions with place words see Place and Movement.
PolitenessA1
| Way | Example |
|---|---|
| please at the start | Please sit down. |
| please at the end | Sit down, please. |
| a question with Could you… | Could you open the window, please? |
- A bare imperative sounds direct. please makes a request friendly.
- Requests to strangers and in formal situations use Could you…? See Can and Could.
Typical errorsA1
| ✗ | ✓ | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Not open the door. | Don't open the door. | negative imperative → Don't + V |
| Don't to open the door. | Don't open the door. | Don't + base verb, no to |
| Opens the door. | Open the door. | the imperative has no -s |
| Let's to go. | Let's go. | Let's + base verb, no to |