3 Ways to Use English Imperative Form - Giving Instructions + Examples
- Rose Sensei
- Sep 26, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 21
1. What is the English Imperative Form?
The imperative form is used to give:
direct commands
instructions
advice
suggestions
good wishes
encouragement
offers
requests
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You can see examples of the Imperative Form in:
street signs,
recipes,
instruction manuals,
how to prepare, do or make something,
tutorials etc.
2. Uses of the Imperative Form for giving instructions - Examples
1️⃣ Giving Commands
Imperative sentences often function as direct commands.
Example:
-Stop talking!
-Finish your homework!
2️⃣ Giving Instructions
Use the imperative form to tell someone how to do something.
Example:
-Turn on the computer.
-Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3️⃣ Giving Advice
The imperative can be used to offer advice or recommendations.
Example:
-Take an umbrella; it might rain.
-Drink plenty of water.
4️⃣ Making Suggestions
Using "let’s" in the imperative form is a polite way to make suggestions.
Example:
-Let’s go for a walk.
-Let’s try that new café.
5️⃣ Expressing Good Wishes
Imperatives can be used to express good wishes in a direct and positive way.
Example:
-Have a great day!
-Enjoy your vacation!
6️⃣ Offering Encouragement
Encouraging someone can be effectively done using the imperative form.
Example:
-Keep up the good work!
-Stay positive!
7️⃣ Making Offers
The imperative can be used to make offers, often in a friendly or helpful manner.
Examples:
-Take a seat.
-Have some more cake.
8️⃣ Making Requests
Polite requests often use the imperative form, softened by words like "please."
Examples:
-Please, pass me the salt.
-Can you help me with this, please?
3. The Imperative Sentence Structure
🔹How to form the positive
🔹How to form the negative
🔹How to use Imperative with the Adverbs of Sequence
🔹How to sound 'polite' / less direct with the Imperative form
🔹Why use the Imperative with a Noun or Pronoun
🎯Note!
The verb in Imperative sentences is in its base form, and the subject "you" is implied but usually omitted.
📌a. Imperative Form (Positive)
How to Form: Verb (basic form) + object
✍🏻Imperative Form Giving Instructions Examples
🫖☕️How To Make A Cup Of Tea
Boil 2 cups water in pot.
Add tea leaves.
Reduce heat & simmer for 2 minutes.
Add milk. Let simmer till about to boil.
Turn off heat.
Pour and strain into cups.
Verbs in Imperative form
-boil
-add
-reduce
-add
-simmer
-turn off
-pour
🎯Vocabulary Check!
Words / Meaning:
simmer = very hot, but not boiling
☕️How To Make A Cup Of Drip Coffee:
Verbs in Imperative form:
-add
-pour
-let
-enjoy
1. Add 10g ground coffee into dripper.
2. Pour 180ml hot water slowly over ground coffee.
3. Let it drip for 3-4 mins till complete
4. Enjoy!
📌b. How to form the Imperative (Negative)
i) do not / don't + (Verb)
Example:
-Do not / Don't wash the beans.
ii) never + (Verb)
Example:
-Never wash them.
📌c. Using Adverbs of Sequence in Imperative Sentences
Adverbs of sequence (first, then, next, finally) are useful in Imperative sentences to provide clear and orderly instructions.
Adverbs of sequence to explain the order in which the steps happen:
e.g.
1. first
2. then
3. next
Example:
Giving Instructions with Adverbs of Sequence
🍳Cooking Recipe:
1. First, wash rice under running water.
2. Next, add 2 cups water for each cup of rice and cook.
3. Then, stir cooked rice and simmer for 15 minutes.
🎯Grammar Point!
*You can use then, next, after that, interchangeably (in any position).
So you can say:
1. First, wash rice under running water.
2. Then, add 2 cups water for each cup of rice and cook.
3. Next, stir cooked rice and simmer for 15 minutes.
🪑Assembly Instructions:
First, unpack all the parts.
Then, attach the legs to the base.
Next, secure the backrest.
Finally, check all connections.
📌d. Use Imperative Form with 'please' & 'let's to sound more polite:
While imperatives can be direct, you can soften them to sound more polite using "please" or "let’s."
Imperative with please
✅ (Positive form)
e.g. 🗣️ Tell me.
(Use with 'please'): 🗣️ Please tell me. or Tell me, please.
(We can add 'please' which can be either at the start or end of sentence.)
❎ (Negative form)
> Please do not / don't put your bags on the table.
> Do not / don't put your bags on the table, please.
📌iii. Imperative with 'Let's'
By using 'Let's' the speaker is including herself. (This makes the command sound more like a suggestion)
-Giving Instructions / Command with 'let's:
Form: Let's + verb
e.g. > Let's eat now.
a. Example Sentence:
(Positive) -
- A teacher is telling the class...
- "Go to page 5."
Using 'let's -
> "Let's go to page 5."
b. (Negative) Example Sentence:
- Do not go there.
Using 'let's -
> Let's not go there.
Using "Let" with - me, us, him, her, it, them
- us ('s) > Let's go!
- me > Let me talk to your parents.
- him/her > Let him go to the class party.
- it > Let it go... 🎶Let it go... (theme song from Disney's Frozen)
🎬5. Now, let's go through more examples of the Imperative form for giving:
-Commands & Instructions
-Advice
-Good Wishes & Encouragement
-Offer & Request
i) Imperative Form - Giving Commands and Instructions
💬Example Sentence
> Put it down.
> Leave your wet umbrella outside.
> Come on in.
> Log in with your email address.
> Walk a few steps.
> Please be quiet!
> Don't look down!
> *Emily, write down your answer on the blackboard.
> *Tim, look out!
🎯Grammar Point!
We don't usually include the Subject in the Imperative sentence. But you can use *noun & pronoun to make it clear who we're speaking to.
*the subject can be at the start or end of the sentence.
Example:
i. Give me a high five, *Ben. Good boy!
OR
ii. *Ben, give me a high five. Good boy!
Example:
i. Stay there!
OR
ii. *You stay there! (*you is used for emphasis)
ii) Imperative Form - Giving Advice
💬Example Sentence:
> Take this medicine 3 times a day after meals.
> Stay in bed.
> Try to keep warm.
> Don't take alcohol.
> Check with your doctor if you still feel unwell.
iii) Imperative Form - Giving Good Wishes & Encouragement
Imperative Example Sentence:
a. Giving Good Wishes
> Enjoy your movie!
> Have fun.
> Send him my best wishes.
b. Giving Encouragement
> Try your best.
>Don't give up.
>Keep going.
iv) Imperative Form - Offer / Request to offer someone something or tell someone to do something:
Example Sentence
1. *Have an apple. It's good for you.
2. Meet me at the cafe later.
3. Drop by the office when you have time.
4. Let me talk to him.
5. Take a seat. He'll be here soon.
🎯Grammar Point!
*have = eat, drink
Using the Imperative Form in Conversations
💬Conversation 1
Emma & her grandma are talking...
🧒Emma: Grandma, let me help you carry the basket. It's too heavy for you.
👵Grandma: Oh, all right. Thanks, sweetheart. Let's take these vegetables to
your mum. She wants to make a salad for our lunch.
🧒Emma: Ok. Pass me the blue bag. Let me put these curry leaves in.
👵Grandma: Wow, they smell so good. Hurry up darling. I'm feeling hungry.
🧒Emma: Haha, let's go.
🎯Please note:
*Let's = Let us go
💬Conversation 2
Lynn and her mum are talking in the kitchen...
👩Mum: Lynn, try this smoothie. What do you think?
🧒Lynn: Yeah. Not too bad.
👩Mum: You don't like it?
🧒Lynn: It's not sweet enough.
👩Mum: Ok. You have 2 choices: Put in a little honey. Or add the watermelon
juice.
🧒Lynn: Mum, do both. I love a sweet smoothie!
👩Mum: Oh, Ok I'll do that. Ask your dad to come down for breakfast, please?
Wake your brother up. He is going to be late for school.
💬Conversation 3
👩👦A mother & son are talking:
👦Josh: Mum,*should I take a train to the country farm?
👩Mum: Hmm...it'll take you 4 hours to get there. Take the morning express bus
to the town station. Then, get a taxi to the farm. It's *faster this way.
👦Josh: Is it far from the station?
👩Mum: No, it's just a short ride away. Don't forget to text me **the minute
(that) you see granny.
👦Josh: Sure, mum.
🎯Grammar Point!
1️⃣(Don't forget to + verb)
2️⃣*Should - Modal verb for advice or suggestions
🎯Vocabulary Check!
1️⃣ Comparative Adjectives - fast > *faster >> the fastest
2️⃣ (Idiom) ** the minute (that) = as soon as
💬Sentence Example:
- Put the kettle on the minute you reach home.
- Put the kettle on as soon as you reach home.
💬Conversation 4
👩🏻🏫: My driving test is this afternoon.
💁🏻♂️: Oh, good luck. Feeling nervous?
👩🏻🏫: Yeah, a little.
💁🏻♂️: Don't worry. You'll be OK.
👩🏻🏫: Any advice for me?
💁🏻♂️: Just relax and keep your eyes on the road.
💬Example Conversation 5
2 friends are texting...
👩🦰Meg : My train leaves at 12.
👩💼Pip: Visiting your parents?
👩🦰Meg: Yeah. Wish me luck.
👩💼Pip: All the best.
👩🦰Meg: Thanks.
👩💼Pip: Send my best regards to your mum.
👩🦰Meg: Will do.
👩💼Pip: Say hi to your dad for me.
👩🦰Meg: Ok.
👩💼Pip: Don't forget to tell your grandma I'll come visit in summer...
🎯Grammar Point!
- 'll be (short form) = will be
🎬7. Let's Review!
We use the Imperative form for:
giving instructions,
commands,
suggestions, directions,
advice, good wishes
offer, request
We use the Imperative form in the following ways in the above situations:
positive
negative
with Adverbs of Sequence
'polite' / less direct Imperative form
use with noun or pronoun
✍🏻How to form the Imperative
✅(positive)
-we use action verb (basic form)
e.g. Buy
❎(negative)
e.g.
a) Do not / Don't + buy
b) Never + buy
1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣Imperative with Adverbs of Sequence
e.g. to give step-by-step instructions
1️⃣ First, ...buy
2️⃣ Next, ...put
3️⃣ Then, ...do
🧑💻 Imperative with 'please' & 'lets'
a) Please buy. / Buy, please.
b) Let's buy.
📌We usually do not use the subject with Imperative form
But we can use *noun & pronoun to be clear who we're speaking to.
e.g.
a) Run, Ben! or Ben, run!
🎬8. A Quick Practice!
Practising the Imperative Form
To get really good in using the imperative form, practice by creating sentences in various contexts. Here are a few exercises to try:
Let's Give instructions!
🥪🍓🥝How to make a fruit sandwich.
Imperative Verbs you can use:
1. mix
2. spread
3. slice
4. add
5. arrange
6. drizzle
7. toast
8. serve
Practise on your own using:
i) Imperative Form
ii) the Adverbs of Sequence.
📢✍🏻Give the instruction sentences out loud. Or write it down.
📚More Practice
Try to give directions on how to get to your home.
Give advice to someone who's starting to learn English.
Encourage / good wishes to someone who's taking an exam.
Suggest activities for a rainy day.
🎯 Learning TIP!
It's important to know how to use the Imperative Form to get your message across clearly and effectively.
👉If you understand how it works and use it often, you'll be able to confidently and politely give commands, instructions, advice, and suggestions.
💬Don't forget to use adverbs of sequence to arrange your instructions and include politeness strategies to make your commands more gentle.
🎥 Related Videos: YouTube Channel Playlist
🔗Imperative Form - Grammar Through Stories https://tinyurl.com/428fkja5
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
🔗Quick and Easy Vocabulary https://tinyurl.com/44chnrb9
🔗Learn Vocabulary Through Fun Stories https://tinyurl.com/567brdfr
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