OVERVIEW

On this page, you will learn about imperatives.

First, read the text and study the chart.
Then, listen to audio of the text.

READ & LISTEN

Read:

We use imperatives to tell someone to do something. An imperative sentence does not have a subject, because we understand that the subject is the person (or people) you are talking to. The verb in an imperative sentence is in the base form.

Verb (base form)	+ Object	+ Rest of Sentence
Make	eye contact	with your audience.
Use	visual aids	in your presentation.
Rehearse	your speech	at home before you come to class.

In these sentences, we understand that the subject is you, but we do not say (or write) you.

Listen:

Read:

When using negative imperatives, you add do not to the beginning of the sentence.

Do	+ Not	+ Verb (base form)	+ Object and Rest of Sentence
Do	not	choose	a topic that is too big.
Do	not	forget	to rehearse your speech.

Sometimes we say or write do not as don't.

Example:

Don't speak too quickly.
Don't talk when the speaker is talking. Be a good audience.

Listen:

Read:

How do we use imperatives?

Use for	Example Sentence
Instructions or Directions	Write a speech. Make a presentation.
Orders	Listen to the speaker!
Advice or Suggestions	Choose a simple topic. Rehearse your presentation with a friend.
Offering Something	Sit here near the front of the room.
Note
Imperatives can be very strong. You can use 'please' to make them sound more polite.	Please listen and pay attention to the speaker.