Matières
Niveaux
Imperative Sentences
Fiche | Anglais
Secondaire
1-5
The imperative mood is used to tell somebody to do something.
Imperative sentences can be used to:
|
give warnings |
give advice |
give orders |
|
give instructions |
place an order |
make requests |
Give warnings
Give advice
Give orders
Give instructions
Place an order*
*The word please can be added at the beginning or at the end of an imperative sentence to add politeness.
Make requests*
*Imperative sentences can replace interrogative sentences (questions used to make requests).
How to Recognize Imperative Sentences
To recognize imperative sentences, look for three specific elements:
No Subject
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The subject is not mentioned, it is implied.
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The implied subject is always you.
Verb Form
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The verb is always in its base form (infinitive without the “to”).
Punctuation
Imperative sentences:
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usually end with a period.
-
can end with an exclamation mark to express urgency or emotion.
Sentence Types Comparison
|
Sentence Type |
Example |
|
Declarative |
Everyday, you wash your hands before dinner. |
|
Interrogative |
Could you wash your hands before dinner? |
|
Exclamative |
You must wash your hands before dinner! |
|
Imperative |
Wash your hands before dinner. |
Imperative Forms
Affirmative Form
Points to remember when forming affirmative imperative sentences:
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Use the base form of the verb.
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Place the object*.
*The object is not always necessary.
Negative Form
Points to remember when forming negative imperative sentences:
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Use the negative form do not or don’t.
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Use the base form of the verb.
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Place the object*.
*The object is not always necessary.
Using Adverbs in Imperative Sentences
To indicate the way an action should be done: add an adverb.
