Have you ever requested someone to do something or even asked for help? Of course you have! And that’s the whole premise of imperative verbs —to tell someone to do something. You’ll probably recognize them as commands, requests, or even advice. Let’s take a closer look at imperative verbs and how you can use them in conversation.
Related:
- What Is an Imperative Sentence? (With Examples)
- The No-Nonsense Guide to Grammar Rules (Capitalization, Nouns, Verbs & More!)
- Common English Verbs You Should Add to Your Vocabulary
What Is an Imperative Verb?
Imperative verbs call for direct action, like asking for help. You’ll most often see imperative verbs in their base form (present tense or simple present tense), which makes sense since the whole of imperatives is about telling someone to do something right away.
Tip: If you come across the term ‘imperative mood,’ it is not about what you feel. Instead, it uses a verb form to give advice, demand, or instructions. For instance, “Pay attention!” or “Slow down!”.
Some examples of imperative verbs include:
- Run
- Stop
- Write
- Read
- Add
- Put
- Jump
- Clean
- Speak
- Move
- Hold
- Eat
- Mix
- Use
- Play
- Brush
- Turn
- Listen
When and How to Use Imperative Verbs?
When you use imperative verbs, you’re creating something called an imperative sentence. The point of this sentence shares the purpose of the imperative verb: to issue a command or request.
Typically, when you create an imperative sentence, you can skip the word ‘you’ because it (second person) is already implied that you are giving the command to the person you are speaking to. For example, “Please pass the salt” is a clear directive to the person you’re speaking to.
So, can imperative verbs appear at the end of a sentence? Technically, yes. For instance, “If you see our colleagues in the hallway, tell them I’m leaving.” In this structure, you have a conditional imperative sentence (there’s a cause and effect.)
Tip: Remember imperative verbs are always in the base form of the verb because you can’t tell someone to do something in the past! And if you want to appear more commanding, always write your sentence in an active voice and not a passive voice.
Affirmative Imperative Sentence
With an affirmative imperative sentence, you can skip the words ‘don’t, ”not,’ or ‘never.’ Why? That’s because you are telling someone to do something. However, that doesn’t mean the intent is necessarily positive.
Affirmative imperative sentences examples:
- “Please turn off the lights.”
- “Finish your homework.”
- “Wash the eggs in the bowl.”
- “Unload the dishwasher before you leave.”
- “Read the resources.”
Negative Imperative Sentence
Negative imperative sentences do the opposite —they tell the person not to do something. However, this sentence doesn’t have to sound “negative.” They can issue warnings or help someone remember something.
Negative imperative sentences examples:
- “Don’t forget your keys.”
- “Never touch that again.”
- “No talking in the library.”
- “Don’t finish the exams right away.”
What Is the Difference Between Imperative and Exclamatory Sentences?
An exclamatory sentence and imperative sentence can sometimes overlap, but here’s a simple trick to tell them apart:
If the sentence that finishes with an exclamation doesn’t include direction, it’s an exclamatory sentence. But if it does, like, “Stop!” that’s still an imperative sentence.
Remember, not all imperative sentences need an exclamation mark — it all boils down to what message you’re trying to get across. Issuing a command isn’t aggressive or upsetting by itself. But sometimes, even adding an exclamation point to the end of a sentence can completely change how the other person receives your message.
Tip: What about the other types of sentences, you ask? Declarative sentences are meant to state facts. And if you’re trying to ask a question, that’s called an interrogative sentence.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, imperative verbs are all about asking someone to do something (or not do something). Using them in both affirmative and negative ways will help build your communication skills. The most important thing to remember is how clear the message is and if it fits the context. It might be better to say, “Please be quiet during the movie” instead of “no talking during the movie.”
