🎯 Objective
To help learners master the correct formation and usage of positive and negative imperatives for giving commands, instructions, advice, and requests in various social contexts.
📖 Grammar Focus
Imperatives are verb forms used to give direct commands, instructions, advice, or requests. They are essential for everyday communication, from giving directions to making polite requests.
| Type | Structure | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | Base verb + (object) | Close the door. | Commands, instructions |
| Negative | Don't + base verb | Don't touch that! | Prohibitions, warnings |
| Polite Request | Please + imperative | Please sit down. | Polite commands |
| Let's | Let's + base verb | Let's go home. | Suggestions (including speaker) |
| Be + Adjective | Be + adjective | Be careful! | States and conditions |
| Emphatic | Do + base verb | Do come in! | Strong encouragement |
📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering Imperatives
Understanding Imperatives
What are Imperatives? They are verb forms that express direct commands, requests, instructions, or advice. The subject "you" is understood but not stated.
Key Characteristics: No visible subject, use base form of verb, express direct action or prohibition.
Positive Imperatives - Formation and Usage
1. ✅ Basic Positive Structure
Formula: Base verb + (object/complement)
Examples: Sit. / Sit down. / Sit on the chair.
No changes: Same form for all subjects (understood "you")
Common uses: Instructions, commands, directions
2. 🏃 Action Imperatives
Movement: Go, come, run, walk, stop, turn
Examples: Go straight. Turn left. Stop here.
Everyday actions: Open, close, take, put, give
Usage: Giving directions, daily instructions
3. 🧠 Mental/State Imperatives
Thinking: Think, remember, forget, imagine
Examples: Think carefully. Remember this rule.
Emotions: Be happy, stay calm, relax
Usage: Advice, encouragement, guidance
4. 🗣️ Communication Imperatives
Speaking: Say, tell, ask, answer, explain
Examples: Tell me the truth. Answer the question.
Listening: Listen, hear, pay attention
Usage: Classroom instructions, conversations
Negative Imperatives - Formation and Usage
1. ❌ Basic Negative Structure
Formula: Don't + base verb
Full form: Do not + base verb (formal)
Examples: Don't go. / Do not enter.
Never use: "Not + verb" or "Doesn't + verb"
2. ⚠️ Warnings and Prohibitions
Safety: Don't touch! Don't run! Don't smoke!
Rules: Don't talk during the exam.
Advice: Don't worry. Don't be afraid.
Usage: Preventing actions, giving warnings
3. 🚫 "Be" Negative Imperatives
Structure: Don't be + adjective/noun
Examples: Don't be late. Don't be a fool.
States: Don't be sad, angry, worried
Usage: Emotional advice, behavioral guidance
4. 🔇 Never + Base Verb
Structure: Never + base verb
Examples: Never give up! Never trust strangers!
Emphasis: Stronger than "don't"
Usage: Strong advice, life principles
Polite and Emphatic Forms
Making Imperatives Polite:
- Please: Please sit down. / Sit down, please.
- Would you...: Would you please close the window?
- Could you...: Could you help me, please?
- Kindly: Kindly submit your report by Friday.
Emphatic Imperatives:
- Do + verb: Do come in! Do try this cake!
- Really + imperative: Really think about it!
- Just + imperative: Just relax and enjoy!
- For heaven's sake: For heaven's sake, be quiet!
Let's Suggestions:
- Positive: Let's go to the movies.
- Negative: Let's not argue about this.
- Question form: Shall we go? / Let's go, shall we?
- Usage: Including yourself in the suggestion
Context and Tone
✅ Appropriate Contexts:
- Instructions: Follow these steps carefully.
- Recipes: Add salt and mix well.
- Directions: Turn right at the traffic light.
- Safety: Wear your seatbelt.
- Emergencies: Call 911 immediately!
- Encouragement: Keep trying! Don't give up!
❌ Avoid in Formal Situations:
- To strangers: Use "Could you..." instead
- To superiors: Use "Would you mind..." instead
- Formal requests: Use "Please consider..." instead
- Delicate situations: Use "Perhaps you could..."
- Multiple requests: Vary your language
- Criticism: Use "I suggest..." instead
Common Expressions and Fixed Phrases
Everyday Imperatives:
Greetings: Come in! Sit down! Make yourself at home!
Partings: Take care! Have a nice day! Drive safely!
Eating: Help yourself! Enjoy your meal! Pass the salt!
Emergency/Warning Imperatives:
Danger: Watch out! Look out! Be careful! Stay back!
Traffic: Stop! Wait! Go! Slow down!
Health: Take your medicine! Get some rest!
Motivational Imperatives:
Encouragement: Keep going! Don't give up! Believe in yourself!
Success: Work hard! Stay focused! Never stop learning!
🧩 Task: Transform and Create Imperatives
Read the situations below and write appropriate imperatives (positive or negative) for each context.
📝 Situations - Write Appropriate Imperatives:
1. You're a teacher and want students to be quiet and pay attention to the lesson.
2. You're giving directions to someone who is lost and wants to find the library.
3. Your friend is very worried about an exam. You want to encourage and calm them.
4. You see a child about to touch a hot stove. You need to warn them urgently.
5. You're making a polite request to your colleague to help you with a project.
1. ✅ Write imperatives for the classroom situation (teacher to students):
2. ✅ Write imperatives for giving directions to the library:
3. ✅ Write encouraging imperatives for your worried friend:
4. ✅ Write urgent warning imperatives for the dangerous situation:
5. ✅ Write polite imperatives for requesting help from a colleague:
✅ Answer Key & Explanation
1. ✅ Classroom Situation:
Sample Answers:
- "Be quiet, please." / "Please be quiet."
- "Pay attention to the lesson."
- "Listen carefully." / "Stop talking."
- "Focus on the board." / "Don't chat with your neighbor."
Note: Use polite forms with "please" when appropriate. Mix positive and negative imperatives.
2. ✅ Giving Directions:
Sample Answer:
"Go straight for two blocks. Turn left at the traffic light. Walk past the post office. Cross the street at the crosswalk. Don't turn right at the first corner. Keep walking until you see the library on your right."
Key elements: Movement verbs, specific locations, clear sequence, some negative instructions.
3. ✅ Encouraging Friend:
Sample Answers:
- "Don't worry so much."
- "Relax and breathe deeply."
- "Believe in yourself."
- "Remember how well you prepared."
- "Don't be so hard on yourself." / "Stay confident!"
Note: Balance negative imperatives (don't worry) with positive encouragement (believe, stay confident).
4. ✅ Urgent Warning:
Sample Answers:
- "Don't touch that!" / "Stop!"
- "Get away from the stove!"
- "Don't go near there!" / "Be careful!"
- "Move back immediately!"
Note: Use urgent, direct language. Negative imperatives for prohibition, positive for immediate action.
5. ✅ Polite Request to Colleague:
Sample Answers:
- "Please help me with this project when you have time."
- "Consider joining our team for this assignment."
- "Please let me know if you can assist with the research."
- "Feel free to suggest any improvements to the proposal."
Note: Always use "please," give them choice/flexibility, avoid direct commands in professional settings.
🏆 Additional Examples by Context
Recipe Instructions:
Positive: Heat the oil. Add the onions. Stir gently. Cook for 5 minutes.
Negative: Don't overcook the vegetables. Don't add salt yet.
Tips: Don't let it burn. Be careful with the hot oil.
Exercise Instructions:
Commands: Stand up straight. Lift your arms. Bend your knees.
Warnings: Don't hold your breath. Don't push too hard.
Encouragement: Keep going! Don't give up! Push yourself!
Travel and Tourism:
Directions: Take the metro to Central Station. Get off at the third stop.
Advice: Bring your passport. Don't forget to validate your ticket.
Warnings: Watch your belongings. Don't trust strangers.
Technology Instructions:
Steps: Click on the icon. Enter your password. Select the file.
Warnings: Don't close the program yet. Don't delete this folder.
Troubleshooting: Try restarting the computer. Check your internet connection.
Social Situations:
Hosting: Come in! Make yourself comfortable. Help yourself to drinks.
Polite requests: Please pass the salt. Excuse me for a moment.
Departing: Take care! Drive safely! Don't be a stranger!
Quick Reference - Tone and Formality:
- Informal/Friendly: Come on! Let's go! Don't worry about it!
- Neutral: Please sit down. Don't smoke here. Turn left at the corner.
- Formal: Please consider our proposal. Kindly submit your application.
- Emergency: Call an ambulance! Don't move him! Get help now!
- Encouraging: Keep trying! Believe in yourself! Don't give up!