The imperative

- Imperatives are used to issue commands. They use the infinitive of verbs (dropping the word "to"); in the first person plural ("we"), the infinitive is preceded by "let's" (or: "let us"):
• Speak!
• Finish your homework!
• Let's eat!
• Close the door!
- The negative imperative is formed by placing "don't" (or "do not") before the imperative form; in the first person plural one uses "let's not" (or "let us not") :
• Let's not forget who helped us.
• Don't leave me!
• Don't walk on the grass!
• Please don't eat the daisies!
- The imperative has no effect on the word order of the rest of the sentence.

> We can use the imperative to give a direct order.
1. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
2. Stand up straight.
3. Give me the details.
> We can use the imperative to give instructions.
1. Open your book.
2. Take two tablets every evening.
3. Take a left and then a right.
> We can use the imperative to make an invitation.
1. Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home.
2. Please start without me. I'll be there shortly.
3. Have a piece of this cake. It's delicious.
> We can use the imperative on signs and notices.
1. Push.
2. Do not use.
3. Insert one dollar.
> We can use the imperative to give friendly informal advice.
1. Speak to him. Tell him how you feel.
2. Have a quiet word with her about it.
3. Don't go. Stay at home and rest up. Get some sleep and recover.
> We can make the imperative 'more polite' by adding 'do'.
• Do be quiet.
• Do come.
• Do sit down.



EXERCISE :

Choose the correct word to make the imperative meaningful socially!
1. You (must / must not) obey your teacher and parents.
2. Students (may / may not) talking during the exam.
3. (Keep / don’t keep) the book out of the reach of the children if it is only for adults.
4. (Say / don’t say) nothing if you have to keep silent during the examination.
5. (Finish / don’t finish) your SMK if you want to attend a university or collage.
6. (Study / don’t study) your lesson well if you want to be good at every subject.
7. Tell the students (to / not to) play in the classroom during the break.
8. Please (disturb / don’t disturb) me. I am very busy doing my homework.
9. Students and teachers (must / must not) come late to school.


ANSWER KEY :
1. You must obey your teacher and parents.
2. Students may not talking during the exam.
3. Keep the book out of the reach of the children if it is only for adults.
4. Don’t say nothing if you have to keep silent during the examination.
5. Finish your SMK if you want to attend a university or collage.
6. Study your lesson well if you want to be good at every subject.
7. Tell the students not to play in the classroom during the break.
8. Please don’t disturb me. I am very busy doing my homework.
9. Students and teachers must not come late to school.