Imperatives

In English Grammar, an imperative is formed from the infinitive form of a verb. An imperative form is understood as being in the second person, and this can be taken as singular or plural. Imperatives are mostly used for giving orders, for requesting or advising somebody to do (or not to do) something. For example:

• Be quiet, the baby is alseep!

• Tidy your bedroom.

• Let's go home.

• Close the door.

• Put down the gun!

The negative imperative is formed by placing "don't" (or "do not") before the verb infinitive.

• Don't shout. I'm not deaf!

• Don't walk on the grass.

• Please don't smoke in here.

• Don't feed the animals.

Imperatives are often used for giving instructions as to how to perform a task, either spoken or in written documents or manuals. Imperatives have many uses and are all around us in daily life. Even on holiday you hear them; "Turn left at the traffic lights and then follow the road until you reach the library. Examples:

• Install the file, then restart your computer.

• Wait your turn.

• Turn left at the next junction.

• Click to accept our terms and then press the 'install' button.

• Do not park here.

Although imperatives are normally used in the second person (singular or plural) they can also be used to propose an action which the speaker will also perform. These forms use let's.

• Let's go to the cinema.      (I propose that you and I go to the cinema.)

• Let's wait here.      (I propose that you and I wait here.)