What is Imperative Form?
The imperative form in English uses verbs to give commands, instructions and advice. There are both affirmative and negative commands, telling people what to do and what NOT to do. The most important thing to remember when you write or say an imperative sentence is that you don’t write a subject. Examples:
Help me!
Don’t talk to your mother like that.
Write this on the board.
To make an imperative sentence, start with the infinitive verb form (the base). Then, add an adverb (a modifying word) or an object (the noun that action is done to). For example, you could say:
Run faster.
Kick the ball.
To make a negative imperative, you just need to put ‘Don’t’ or ‘Do not’ at the start of the sentence.
Do not eat that!
Don’t smoke.
Will I sound rude if I use the imperative? No, but sometimes the imperative sounds too strong (especially if you keep telling someone what to do!). To sound more polite, just add please.
Please drive faster.
Drive faster, please.
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