Practice
Imperative sentences: rules and examples
A sign at a station says, "Keep your ticket until you leave." It does not name a subject, but the instruction is for the person reading it. That hidden listener is part of how an imperative sentence works.
Recognize and write positive and negative imperative sentences, then choose a polite form when a direct command would sound too strong.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Please check the address before you leave. /pliːz tʃek ði əˈdrɛs bɪˈfɔr ju liːv/
The short answer
Start most imperative sentences with the base verb: Check the label. Use do not or don't before the base verb for a negative: Don't touch the wet paint. The listener is usually the understood subject.
Bring your receipt to the service desk.
Why it works: Bring is the base verb, and the instruction is addressed to the listener.
5 more examples
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Read the safety instructions before you begin.
Read is a base verb that gives the listener a direct instruction.
Not this:You
should readthe safety instructions before you begin. What changes: This sentence gives advice with a stated subject rather than a direct imperative. -
Don't press the red button.
Don't plus the base verb makes a negative imperative.
Not this:The red button
does not controlthe lights. What changes: This is a statement about the button, not an instruction to a listener. -
Please speak a little more slowly.
Please can make a direct request sound more considerate.
Not this:
Could you speaka little more slowly? What changes: A question form is often a more polite choice with someone you do not know well. -
Be careful near the edge of the platform.
Be is the base form used in an imperative warning.
Not this:You
are carefulnear the edge of the platform. What changes: This sentence describes the listener instead of warning the listener. -
Let's meet outside the library at six.
Let's means let us and includes the speaker in the suggested action.
Not this:
Meetoutside the library at six. What changes: This instruction is directed only at the listener and does not include the speaker.
Read the full guide
Look first at the verb. If a sentence begins with a base verb and asks the listener to act, it is probably an imperative. Then check the situation. A direct imperative works well in instructions and warnings, but a request to a stranger often needs a softer form.
Find the hidden subject
Most imperative sentences do not say you, but the instruction is directed at you or at a group of listeners. The sentence usually begins with the base form of the verb.
Keep the door closed during the meeting.
The understood meaning is You keep the door closed, but English leaves out you in this kind of instruction.
Which word begins this imperative: Save the file before you close the program?
Save begins the imperative. It is the base form of the verb.
Make positive and negative commands
For a positive imperative, begin with the base verb. For a negative imperative, put don't or do not before the base verb. Do not add to before that verb.
Don't open the window during the test.
Don't open tells the listener to avoid an action. Open the window gives the positive command.
Make this negative: ___ forget your ID card.
Use Don't: Don't forget your ID card.
Use direct forms in the right setting
Direct imperatives are common when the situation needs a clear action. They work in directions, instructions, notices, recipes, and urgent warnings. In a conversation with a stranger, the same form can sound too strong.
Turn left after the bridge.
Directions need a clear next step, so a short imperative is natural here.
Which request sounds less direct: Lend me your pen, or Could I borrow your pen?
Could I borrow your pen? sounds less direct because it uses a question form.
Add please or choose a request
Please can soften an imperative, especially when you need a simple request. Put it before the verb or at the end of the sentence. For more distance or formality, use a question such as Could you help me?
Please send the report before noon.
Please makes the request gentler, but the sentence still directly asks the listener to act.
Choose the more polite request to a visitor: Sign here, or Would you mind signing here?
Would you mind signing here? is usually more polite in a formal situation.
Use let's for a shared suggestion
Use let's before the base verb when the speaker suggests an action for the speaker and listener together. The negative form is let's not. Do not write lets without an apostrophe when you mean let us.
Let's not decide before we read the full proposal.
Let's not includes the speaker in the decision to avoid acting too soon.
Complete the shared suggestion: Let's ___ the map before we start walking.
Use check: Let's check the map before we start walking.
Before you go
Remember this
Use the base verb for a positive imperative and don't plus the base verb for a negative one. Remember that you is usually understood, not written. Choose a direct imperative for instructions and warnings, and soften the wording when you are making a request. Use let's when the speaker joins the action.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Imperative sentences: rules and examples"
What is an imperative sentence in English?
An imperative sentence tells a listener to do something or to avoid doing something. It can give an instruction, warning, command, request, invitation, or suggestion. The listener is usually understood as you, so English normally does not state the subject.
Read the safety instructions before you begin.
How do I form a positive imperative sentence?
Begin with the base form of the verb. For example, use Read the label or Wait outside. The verb does not change for one listener or several listeners. English usually leaves out the subject you because the instruction is directed to the listener.
You should read the safety instructions before you begin.
How do I make a negative imperative?
Use don't or do not before the base verb. For example, Don't rush and Do not enter are negative imperatives. Do not use a form such as don't to enter. After don't, use the plain base verb without to.
Don't press the red button.
Are imperative sentences always rude?
No. Imperatives are normal in notices, warnings, directions, recipes, and other instructions because those situations need clear steps. In a social or formal conversation, a bare imperative can sound demanding. Add please or choose a question form when you need a less direct request.
The red button does not control the lights.
What does let's mean in an imperative sentence?
Let's is the short form of let us. Use it when the speaker includes themself in a suggestion, as in Let's review the notes. For a negative shared suggestion, use let's not. Write let's with an apostrophe when you mean let us.
Please speak a little more slowly.