Imperatives
Open the door, don't be late, let's go: instructions, warnings and suggestions.
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We use the imperative to tell someone what to do: to give instructions, directions, warnings and advice. It is one of the easiest forms in English: just the verb, usually with no subject and no ending.
Positive: the verb alone
Start with the verb. We don't usually say you before it. The form is the same for one person and for many.
- Close the door, please.
- Turn left at the bank.
- Wait here.
- Take the second street on the right.
- Incorrect: Opens the window, please.
- Correct: Open the window, please.The imperative has no -s and no other ending.
Negative: don't + verb
Put don't (do not) before the verb. In signs and in formal writing we often see the full form, do not.
- Don't worry.
- Don't park here.
- Do not leave bags in the hall.
(A sign.)
- Incorrect: Not touch the screen.
- Correct: Don't touch the screen.The negative needs don't. Not alone is not enough.
- Incorrect: Don't to forget your passport.
- Correct: Don't forget your passport.After don't, the verb has no to.
Be and don't be
The imperative of be is be. The negative is don't be.
- Be careful. The floor is wet.
- Be quiet, please. People are working.
- Don't be late.
- Incorrect: Don't late for the meeting.
- Correct: Don't be late for the meeting.Late is an adjective, so it needs be.
Polite or not?
An imperative can sound strong. To be polite, we often add please, at the start or at the end. For a request, a question with Can you ...? is often more polite.
- Please sit down.
- Help yourself to coffee, please.
- Can you close the window, please?
(A polite request.)
Some imperatives are friendly wishes or invitations: Have a nice day. Enjoy your meal. Come in.
Warnings
Short imperatives are common as warnings. In British English we often say Mind + a noun: Mind the step.
- Be careful, the plates are hot.
- Mind your head.
- Don't touch that wire.
Always and never
Always and never can go before the verb in an imperative. They make the instruction stronger.
- Always lock the door when you go out.
- Never give your password to anyone.
Let's: a suggestion
Use Let's + verb to suggest something that you and the other person do together. Let's is the short form of let us, but we almost always say let's. The negative is Let's not + verb.
- Let's go for a walk.
- Let's have dinner at the new Thai place.
- Let's not take the car. Let's walk.
- Incorrect: Let's to go home.
- Correct: Let's go home.After let's, the verb has no to.
- Incorrect: Let's we meet at six.
- Correct: Let's meet at six.Let's already includes we, so don't add it.
Instructions step by step
Imperatives are very common in recipes, in directions and in instructions on machines.
- Press the green button, then wait ten seconds.
- Cut the onions and put them in the pan.
- Go straight on and cross the bridge.