You can use the imperative form to give an order, to give a warning or advice, and (if you use "please") to make a request.
To make the imperative, use the infinitive of the verb without 'to':
"Come here!"<
BR>"Sit down!"
To make a negative imperative, put "do not" or "don't" before the verb:
"Don't go!" "Do not walk on the grass."
The imperative can be used for all subjects (you, he, they and we), but you can also use "let's" before the verb if you are including yourself in the imperative:
"Let's stop now." "Let's have some lunch."
The negative of "let's" is "let's not":
"Let's not argue! "Let's not tell her about it."
Grammar and Tenses
Orders
Adults do not usually give each other orders, unless they are in a position of authority. The intonation of an order is important: each word is stressed, and the tone falls at the end of the sentence:
"Sit down now!" ('Sit', 'down' and 'now' are all stressed, and the tone falls on 'now'.)
However, adults can give orders to children and to animals:
Here are some orders you could give your pet dog:
"Come here!" "Sit!" "Heel!"
"Fetch!"
Grammar and Tenses
Warnings
You can use the imperative to warn someone of danger. All the words in the warning are stressed, but the last word has a higher tone than the first word:
"Watch out!" "Look out!"
"Don't cross!"
Grammar and Tenses
Advice
When you give advice using the imperative, the words are stressed normally:
"Eat an apple - it's much better for you than a biscuit!"
"Don't tell him you're resigning now! Wait until Monday when he's in a better mood."
You can often read articles in magazines that give advice on a subject. Sometimes, this advice is presented as "Dos and don'ts".
Grammar and Tenses
For example:
Travelling long-distance
Do try to sleep well the night before Do drink plenty of water Do try to walk about the plane during the flight Don't drink alcohol Don't eat heavy meals Don't wear restrictive clothing
Grammar and Tenses
Requests
You can also use the imperative to make a request, but you should use a polite word before the verb:
"Please take a seat." "Please wait here." "Please hold the line." "Please don't smoke here."
In written English, you might also see "Kindly" used as a polite word:
"Kindly return the documents as soon as possible." "Kindly forward this to the Sales and Marketing department." "Kindly send me 2 copies of your brochure."
Comments (0)
Print
Tell friend
Top
