Category: Grammar
Use
Imperatives are verbs used to give orders or commands:
- Eat your meal.
- Stop it.
- Turn the lights on.
- Give me the keys, now!
- Turn left and cross the road.
- Install the file, then restart your laptop.
You can use the imperatives to give warnings:
- Be careful!
- Watch out!
- Please take a seat.
We can also use the imperatives to give advice:
- Eat fruit.
- Don't drink alcohol.
You can also use the imperatives to make requests:
- Please take a seat.
- Please don't smoke in here.
Form
Affirmative imperative
The form of the verb used for the affirmative imperative is the base form of the main verb, which is used without a subject.
- Stay calm.
- Keep quiet.
- Clean your room.
- Turn the TV off.
- Close the door, if you wouldn't mind.
Negative imperative
The negative imperative is made with do + not or don't.
- Do not use elevators.
- Don't go!
- Do not press that button.
- Do not walk on the grass.
- Don't be late!
- Do not feed the animals.
