The imperative: Sit down! Don’t talk!

The imperative: Sit down! Don’t talk!

Exercise 1

Look at the pictures and complete the sentences using an imperative in positive or negative form. Use the verbs in the box.

be – drink – drive – fish – smoke – stop – talk – turn – turn off – wash – write

 


EXAMPLE: Stop the car.

Please wait...

1Please, .

2 in this area.

3 your mobile phone.

4 right.

5Please, in this area.

6 your name here.

7 careful. The floor is wet.

8 your hands.

9 slowly.

10 this water.

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The imperative: Grammar chart

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Form

The form of the verb used for the imperative is the base form of the verb (=the infinitive without to). There is no subject.
The negative imperative is made with do not or don’t + infinitive (no subject).

Use

You can use the imperative to:

Give instructions

• Open the package carefully.
• Connect the cable to the plug.

Give orders

• Fasten your seatbelt.
• Stop talking!
• Run!

Offer something or invite someone to something

• Have some cookies.
• Come and sit with us.

Give advice

• Get some sleep.
• Tell her how you feel.
• Go and have fun.

Give warnings

• Don’t touch that cable.
• Please, Stop the car!

Let’s

Make suggestions

You can use the form let’s + verb or let’s not + verb to make suggestions.

(+) It’s very hot today. Let’s go to the swimming pool.
(-) Let’s not go out today. I’m very tired.