A1 · Grammar
Imperatives
After this page you can give instructions, directions, recipes and warnings with the imperative, say what not to do with Don't, ask politely with please and make suggestions with Let's.
Rules
1.
The imperative: verb, no subject
- Open the window. It's very hot in here.
- Take the second street on the right.
- Cut the onions and put them in the pan.
- Be careful! The floor is wet.
The imperative is the verb with no -s and no to. There is no subject (no you). It is the same for one person and for many people.
When?
- instructions: Write your name here.
- directions: Turn right at the church.
- recipes: Mix the flour and the eggs.
- warnings: Be careful! Watch out!
The verb to be has the form be: Be quiet. Be on time.
Imperative = verb only: Sit down. (not: You sit down. · Sits down.)
to be → Be careful!
2.
Don't + verb
- Don't touch the oven. It's hot.
- Don't be late tomorrow.
- Don't forget your umbrella, Lucy!
- Do not park in front of the gate.
For a negative instruction, put don't before the verb. Do not is the long form. You often see it on signs and in rules.
Negative
- Don't + verb: Don't run. · Don't open the door.
- Don't be …: Don't be sad. (not: Don't are sad.)
- signs: Do not smoke. · Do not enter.
Don't + verb, for everybody (not: Doesn't, not: Not touch).
Don't be nervous. (not: Don't are)
3.
please: more polite
- Please sit down.
- Sit down, please.
- Please don't use your mobile phone in the library.
- Come in and have a seat.
An imperative can sound hard. Add please at the start or at the end. At the end, put a comma before it.
Friendly imperatives
- invitations: Come in. · Have a seat. · Help yourself.
- good wishes: Have a nice weekend! · Enjoy your meal!
Please close the door. · Close the door, please.
please goes at the start or at the end, not in the middle.
4.
Let's + verb: suggestions
- It's sunny. Let's go to the park.
- I'm tired. Let's have a break.
- Let's meet at the café at 6:30.
- It's late. Let's not take the bus. Let's take a taxi.
Let's + verb is a suggestion for you and me together. The verb has no -s and no to. The negative is Let's not + verb.
Let's
- Let's = let us: you + me, we do it together
- Let's + verb: Let's eat. (not: Let's to eat. · Let's eating.)
- answers: Good idea! · OK! · Sorry, I can't.
Write the apostrophe: Let's, not Lets.
Let's + verb = a suggestion: Let's order a pizza.
Let's not + verb: Let's not wait.
Find the exercises with instant feedback in the app.