English imperative
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Imperative (mood) – a verb form and grammatical mood used to issue commands, requests, instructions, orders, and prohibitions.:[1][2][3][4]
In the most commonly used second person singular and plural, the imperative uses the infinitive without the marker to[3][4]:
- Go away!
- Sit down!
In the first person singular and in the third person, constructions with let and the pronouns me/him/her/it/them are used[5][4]:
- Let me think.
- Let him go.
In the first person plural, let's or formally let us is used[6][4]:
- Let's do it together!
Negatives are formed using do not or don't in the second person[7][8][4]:
- Don't be late!
And using let's not or formally let us not for the first person plural[6][4]:
- Let's not argue about it.
In British English, don't let's or formally do not let us may also be used[6][4][9]:
- Don't let's argue about it.
The imperative mood can be considered impolite.[4]
| Person | Affirmative form | Negative form | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |
| 1st | let me go | let's (let us) go | let me not go | let's not (let us not) go |
| 2nd | go | go | don't go | don't go |
| 3rd | let him/her/it go | let them go | let him/her/it not go | let them not go |
The auxiliary verb do is used for emphatic reinforcement[7][10][3][4]:
- Do sit down, please.
- Do be quiet!
In question tags after second-person imperatives, will you? is most commonly used[11][4]:
- Don't forget, will you?
To express impatience, can't you? may be used[11]:
- Shut up, can't you?
After let's and let us, shall we? is used[12][4]:
- Let's throw a party, shall we?
Other ways of giving commands and instructions
The construction be going to can be used to give orders[13][14]:
- You're going to finish your dinner even if you sit here till midnight!
- You are not going to sleep now
The Present Progressive tense can be used to exert pressure or issue a firm prohibition[15]:
- You're not going to the game - you've got homework to do.
The Present Simple is used for instructions and directions[15][16]:
- When you get there, you leave the train station and you take the streetcar number 23
The modal verb will (or sometimes shall in British English), also known as the Future Simple, can be used to give commands or requests[17]:
- Will you get me a cheese sandwich, please?
For obligation, must is used, and for prohibition – must not[18]:
- You mustn't drink water from the river.
A categorical prohibition can be expressed with don't you dare[19][20]
- Don't you dare touch it!
The modal verb shall also carries an imperative sense; in the past it was more commonly used to express orders, threats, and promises[21]:
- He shall regret this.
- You shall be given what you deserve.
In this sense, shall appears in the text of the Ten Commandments:
- Thou shalt not kill. (modern: You shall not kill.)
In formal language it is also used in rules and instructions[17]:
- Each employee shall obey the Health and Safety rules.
In colloquial speech it is rare, often used humorously:
- You shall listen.
See also
- English modal auxiliary verbs
References
- ↑ "imperative". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 23.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Swan 2015, p. 335.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 "Imperative clauses (Be quiet!)". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 337.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Swan 2015, p. 336.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Swan 2015, p. 56.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 327.
- ↑ "let's". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 57.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Swan 2015, p. 465.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 466.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 76.
- ↑ "Future: be going to (I am going to work)". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Swan 2015, p. 78.
- ↑ "Present simple (I work)". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Swan 2015, p. 82.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 127.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 596.
- ↑ "Dare - from English Grammar Today". Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ Swan 2015, p. 132.
Bibliography
- Swan, Michael (2016). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-420243-5. Search this book on
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