Grammar Guide

What is it?

Imperatives are used to tell someone what to do or what not to do.

A positive imperative gives a command, instruction, request, invitation, or advice.

• Open the door.
• Please sit down.
• Take some water.

A negative imperative tells someone not to do something.

• Do not open the door.
• Don’t touch that.
• Don’t be late.

Imperatives usually do not include a subject. The understood subject is you.

When to use

Use imperatives for:

• commands: Stop talking.
• instructions: Turn left at the traffic lights.
• requests: Please help me.
• advice: Get some rest.
• warnings: Be careful.
• invitations: Come in.
• prohibitions: Don’t park here.

Use please to make an imperative more polite.

• Please close the window.
• Wait here, please.

Structure

Positive imperatives

Use the base form of the verb.

The verb is the same for one person or several people.

• Come here, Anna.
• Come here, everyone.

Negative imperatives

Use do not or don’t before the base form of the verb.

Do not is more formal than don’t.

Imperatives with be

Use be in positive imperatives.

• Be quiet.
• Be careful.

Use don’t be in negative imperatives.

• Don’t be rude.
• Don’t be afraid.

Imperatives with let’s

Use let’s + base verb to suggest doing something together.

• Let’s go home.
• Let’s take a break.

Use let’s not + base verb for a negative suggestion.

• Let’s not argue.
• Let’s not wait too long.

Examples

1. Close the window, please.
2. Don’t use your phone here.
3. Turn right after the bank.
4. Please do not leave your bag unattended.
5. Be careful on the stairs.
6. Don’t be late for the meeting.
7. Take this medicine with food.
8. Come and sit with us.
9. Let’s order some food.
10. Let’s not talk about work tonight.

Exceptions

The subject you is sometimes included for emphasis, contrast, or strong emotion.

• You stay here.
• You be careful.
• You take this box, and Mark can take the other one.

This use can sound forceful, so it should be used carefully.

Use always and never before the main verb in imperatives.

• Always check the door.
• Never share your password.

Do not use do not never, because it creates an incorrect double negative.

Common mistakes

1. Incorrect: You close the door. Correct: Close the door. Explanation: Imperatives usually do not include the subject you.

2. Incorrect: To open the window. Correct: Open the window. Explanation: Use the base verb without to.

3. Incorrect: Don’t to touch that. Correct: Don’t touch that. Explanation: Use don’t + base verb without to.

4. Incorrect: Not open the door. Correct: Don’t open the door. Explanation: Use do not or don’t to make a negative imperative.

5. Incorrect: Don’t be touch the machine. Correct: Don’t touch the machine. Explanation: Use be only before an adjective, noun, or similar description.

6. Incorrect: Be not noisy. Correct: Don’t be noisy. Explanation: Use don’t be for negative imperatives with be.

7. Incorrect: Let’s to go home. Correct: Let’s go home. Explanation: Use the base verb without to after let’s.