In this chapter
Open your books. Turn left. Don't touch that! Teachers, signs, recipes and friends giving directions all tell us what to do. The form they use is called the imperative.
The imperative is the simplest structure in English: it is just the base verb, with no subject. In this chapter you will learn the positive and negative forms, how to make an instruction sound polite, and where you will meet imperatives every day.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can give instructions with the base verb.
- I can make negative instructions with don't.
- I can make an instruction polite with please.
- I can understand imperatives in directions, recipes and signs.
Giving instructions
To tell someone what to do, use the base verb at the start of the sentence. There is no subject — you is understood.
The pattern
Base verb (+ object / place)
Sit down. Open the door. Come here.
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Open ( verb ) your books. ( object )
An instruction in class.
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Sit ( verb ) down. ( adverb )
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Turn ( verb ) left ( adverb ) at the corner. ( place )
Giving directions.
-
Close the door.
The same form for one person or many.
Quick checkChoose the correct instruction.
Don't
To tell someone not to do something, put don't (do not) before the base verb.
The pattern
Don't + base verb
Don't touch. Don't be late.
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Don't ( not ) touch ( verb ) that. ( object )
-
Don't ( not ) be ( verb ) late. ( complement )
Don't be + adjective.
-
Don't run in the corridor.
A school rule.
-
Please don't smoke here.
please makes it more polite.
Quick check___ talk in the library, please.
Sounding polite
An imperative can sound very direct. To be polite, add please at the start or the end — or ask a question with Can you…? (Chapter 11).
| Direct | More polite |
|---|---|
| Close the window. | Please close the window. / Close the window, please. |
| Help me. | Can you help me, please? |
| Wait here. | Please wait here. |
| Be quiet. | Please be quiet. |
-
Please sit down.
please makes it polite.
-
Have a nice day!
Imperatives also give good wishes.
-
Enjoy your meal.
A friendly wish in a restaurant.
-
Let's go to the park.
Let's + base verb = a suggestion for you and me.
Quick checkPut the words in order.
Where we use imperatives
You will see and hear imperatives everywhere: in directions, recipes, instructions, signs and warnings.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| directions | Turn right. Go straight on. |
| recipes | Cut the onions. Add some salt. |
| instructions | Press the green button. |
| signs | Keep left. Don't walk on the grass. |
| warnings | Be careful! Look out! |
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Go ( verb ) straight on ( adverb ) and ( linker ) turn ( verb ) right. ( adverb )
Two instructions joined with and.
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Add ( verb ) some salt. ( object )
From a recipe.
-
Press the green button.
An instruction.
-
Be careful!
A warning.
Quick checkWhich sentence is from a recipe?
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: You open the door.
Correct: Open the door.
Imperatives have no subject.
-
Incorrect: No talk in the library.
Correct: Don't talk in the library.
Form the negative imperative with don't.
-
Incorrect: Don't to worry.
Correct: Don't worry.
No to after don't.
-
Incorrect: Not be late.
Correct: Don't be late.
Use don't be + adjective.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
Asking the way
Yuki is a tourist in York. She asks a local man for directions.
- Yuki
Excuse me. Can you help me, please? Where's the train station?
- Mark
Sure. Go straight on to the traffic lights.
Directions use the imperative: go.
- Yuki
OK, straight on to the lights.
- Mark
Then turn left and walk past the bank.
- Yuki
Left at the lights, past the bank. Is it far?
- Mark
No, about five minutes. But don't take the first street — it's closed today.
Negative: don't + base verb.
- Yuki
Thank you. Is there a café near the station?
- Mark
Yes, there's a nice one opposite. Try the chocolate cake!
- Yuki
Great, thanks for your help!
- Mark
No problem. Have a nice day — and be careful, it's raining!
Have a nice day — an imperative for a friendly wish.
What to remember
- 1 The imperative is the base verb with no subject: Open the door.
- 2 Negative: don't + base verb: Don't touch that. Don't be late.
- 3 Add please to sound polite: Please sit down.
- 4 We use imperatives for directions, recipes, instructions, signs and warnings.
- 5 Let's + base verb makes a suggestion for you and me: Let's go!
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Open the window. | Don't open the window. |
| Be quiet. | Don't be noisy. |
| Turn left. | Don't turn left. |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on Imperatives
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.