Imperatives: Form, Uses and Polite Examples

The imperative is the easiest verb form in English. Take the base form of the verb, the form in the dictionary, and use it without a subject: Wait. Look at this. Be quiet. The person you are talking to (you) is understood, so you do not say it.

For the negative, put don't before the verb: Don't wait. Don't be silly. In signs, instructions and formal writing, use the full form do not: Do not park here. The verb be also uses don't in the imperative: Don't be late, not Be not late.

The imperative does not change for one person or a group: Sit down, everyone. It also does not change for time; it always refers to now or the near future.

One of the most common uses of the imperative is to explain how to do something step by step: recipes, user guides, exam instructions and directions in the street. In these situations the imperative is neutral and normal, not rude, because the speaker is helping you.

We often join the steps with words like first, then, next and after that. For directions, you will hear go straight on, turn left, take the first right and cross the road. Practise them with prepositions of place.

Short imperatives are perfect for warnings, when there is no time for long sentences: Watch out! Stop! Be careful! Mind the gap (British English, on the London Underground). Mind your head means be careful, the ceiling is low.

We also use the imperative for friendly advice and recommendations: Try the cheesecake. Take an umbrella. For stronger or more serious advice, English often uses should: You should see a doctor.

For invitations and offers, the imperative sounds warm and generous: Come in. Have a seat. Help yourself to some cake. Here the speaker wants to give you something, so the direct form is polite.

To make a suggestion for yourself and other people together, use let's (let us) + base verb: Let's go to the beach. Let's have a break. The negative is let's not + base verb: Let's not argue about it. In informal British English you may also hear don't let's, and in informal American English let's don't, but let's not is the safe, standard form everywhere.

A common reply to a let's suggestion is Yes, let's! or Good idea. To say no politely, try I'd rather not or Maybe another time.

An imperative is clear and direct. With strangers, colleagues and people serving you, a bare imperative like Give me a coffee can sound rude. There are three easy ways to soften it.

Add please at the start or the end: Please wait here. Add a friendly tag at the end: Wait a minute, would you? Or change it into a question with can, could or would you mind: Could you wait here, please? Read more in polite requests in English and ordering food in English.

You can also add do before the verb to make an invitation stronger and warmer: Do sit down. Do come again. This sounds polite and a little formal, especially in British English. To give an order to a particular person, you can add their name or you: You wait here, Ali, I'll be back. This is very direct.

You hear imperatives everywhere: on signs (Keep off the grass, No smoking, Push), in shops (Enter your PIN), in apps (Tap here to continue) and in everyday goodbyes like Take care, Have a good weekend and Drive safely. These good wishes are friendly, not orders.

Some very common spoken imperatives are almost fixed phrases: Hang on (wait a moment), Come on (hurry up, or you can do it), Never mind (it's not important) and Don't worry about it. For the difference between imperatives and other ways to give rules, see have to and must.