Imperatives
An A1 guide to the imperative form — how to give commands, instructions, warnings, advice, and suggestions in English, including affirmative and negative forms and the let's structure.
What an Imperative Is
The imperative is the form we use to:
- give a command or order
- give instructions or directions
- give a warning
- offer advice
- make an invitation or suggestion
Sit down.
Open your book.
Be careful!
Please pass the salt.
In an imperative, we are talking to someone — usually you — but we do not say you. The subject is hidden.
How to Form the Imperative
Affirmative (positive)
The imperative uses the base form of the verb (the dictionary form, no -s, no to).
| Base verb | Imperative |
|---|---|
to listen | Listen. |
to come | Come here. |
to be | Be quiet. |
to wait | Wait a moment. |
Open the door, please.
Turn left at the corner.
Have a nice day!
No subject: don’t say
You open the door.JustOpen the door.
Negative
To make a negative imperative, put do not (or don't) before the verb.
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
Open the window. | Don't open the window. |
Touch that. | Don't touch that. |
Be late. | Don't be late. |
Worry. | Don't worry. |
Do not enter. (formal — often on signs)
Don't be afraid.
Don't tell anyone.
Make It Polite
Imperatives can sound rude. To make them polite, add please at the start or end.
Please sit down.
Sit down, please.
Open the door, please.
Please don't shout.
Adding
pleaseis the simplest way to soften an order. In speech, a friendly tone of voice also helps.
You can also add you at the start to draw attention to a specific person — but be careful, it can sound rude.
You sit here, and you sit there. (assigning seats — emphasis, not anger)
Common Uses
Instructions
Mix the eggs and milk.
Click the button to start.
Take the second street on the right.
Warnings and orders
Stop!
Watch out!
Don't move!
Be careful — the floor is wet.
Advice
Get some rest.
Try to relax.
Don't worry about it.
Invitations and offers
Have a seat.
Help yourself to coffee.
Come in, please.
Let’s: Suggestions Including the Speaker
To make a suggestion that includes you (the speaker), use let's (= “let us”) + base verb.
Let's go to the cinema. (= You and I go.)
Let's eat pizza tonight.
Let's take the bus.
To make let's negative, use let's not.
Let's not be late.
Let's not argue about it.
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
Let's go. | Let's not go. |
Let's wait. | Let's not wait. |
Let'sis short forLet usand is much more common in everyday English.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
You sit down. | Sit down. | The imperative usually has no subject. |
Sits down. | Sit down. | Use the base form — no -s ending. |
To open the door. | Open the door. | No to in the imperative. |
Not open the door. | Don't open the door. | Negative imperatives need do not / don't. |
No worry. | Don't worry. | Use don't, not no, to make a verb negative. |
Let's to go. | Let's go. | Use the base form (no to) after let's. |
Let's don't go. | Let's not go. | The negative of let's is let's not, not let's don't. |
Be quiet, please you. | Please be quiet. / Be quiet, please. | Please goes at the start or the end, not after you. |
Practice: Exercises
Which is the correct imperative?
Summary
The imperative is the form we use to give orders, instructions, advice, warnings, and invitations. It uses the base form of the verb with no subject: Sit down., Be quiet., Open the door.
For the negative, add don't (or do not) before the verb: Don't move., Don't be late.
Add please to make it polite: Please come in., Sit down, please.
For suggestions that include the speaker, use let's + base verb: Let's go., Let's eat now. The negative is let's not: Let's not argue.