Imperatives
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In short
Use the base form of the verb to tell someone to do something: Sit down. Turn left. Be careful. For a negative, put Don’t in front: Don’t worry.
The rule
The imperative is the simplest form in English. You just use the base verb (the dictionary form: go, sit, be, have) with no subject. We use it for orders, instructions, directions, requests, warnings, offers, and signs.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Order / instruction | Open your books. |
| Direction | Turn left at the lights. |
| Warning | Be careful! |
| Offer / invitation | Have a seat. |
| Sign / notice | Mind the gap. |
To make it negative, use Don’t + base verb. This works for every verb, including be:
- Don’t touch that.
- Don’t be late.
The subject you is normally left out. We add it only for emphasis or to pick out a particular person: You be quiet! You can also name the person or use words like somebody: Somebody call a doctor!
To soften an order into a polite request, add please (at the start or end) or just: Please wait here. / Wait here, please. / Just relax.
For a suggestion that includes you (the speaker), use Let’s + base verb. The negative is Let’s not + base verb.
An imperative (or a Let’s suggestion) joined to a statement by and or or says what will happen: and gives the result of following it, or the result of not following it - Leave now and you will catch the early bus (= if you leave now); Don’t be late, or we will lose the booking (= if you are late).
Forms & patterns
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | base verb | Stop. / Sit down. |
| Negative | Don’t + base verb | Don’t stop. / Don’t run. |
| With be | (Don’t) + be + … | Be quiet. / Don’t be silly. |
| Softened | Please / Just + imperative | Please come in. / Just wait. |
| Emphatic subject | You + base verb | You go first. |
| Suggestion (incl. me) | Let’s + base verb | Let’s go. |
| Suggestion, negative | Let’s not + base verb | Let’s not argue. |
| Result | imperative + and / or + statement | Hurry up and we will still get seats. |
Note: the form never changes. It is the same whether you speak to one person or many, and the same in present or future. There is no -s, no to, no do/does in positives.
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| Close the door, please. | Polite order; please softens it. |
| Don’t worry about the test. | Negative = Don’t + base verb. |
| Be quiet, everyone. | Be is the base form of to be. |
| Turn right and go straight on. | Directions; two imperatives joined. |
| Have a seat while you wait. | A friendly offer / invitation. |
| Let’s order a pizza. | Suggestion that includes the speaker. |
| Let’s not waste time. | Negative of Let’s. |
| You sit here, and you sit there. | Subject added to single people out. |
Common mistakes
- To sit down. -> Sit down. - no to before the imperative verb.
- You go home. (as a plain order) -> Go home. - normally drop you; keep it only for emphasis.
- Don’t touching that. / Not touch that. -> Don’t touch that. - negative is Don’t + base verb.
- Please you wait. -> Please wait. - please + imperative; no subject.
- Let’s to go. / Let’s going. -> Let’s go. - Let’s + base verb only.
Tips
- Think “naked verb”: no subject, no to, no ending. Just Go. Wait. Help.
- One rule for all negatives, even be: Don’t + base verb (Don’t be late).
- Add please to be polite; add you only when you really mean you and not someone else.
- Let’s = let us: it always invites the listener to join in.