An explanation of imperatives in English with examples.

1. IMPERATIVES
Imperatives arethe base form of the verb with no subject:
Turn off the light.
Sit down.
Speak to her and tell her how you feel.
They are generally less polite than questions but can be made morepolite by
adding ‘please’:
Please, turn off the light.
Sit down please.
They can also be used in the negative:
Do not remove.
Please, do not open.
We use them for:
1. Orders and Warnings: Wait outside until I’m ready to speak to you.
2. Instructions: Taketablet 3 times a day after meals.
Instruction manuals usually usethe imperative, and often use ‘first, second,
next, then, after that, finally, etc.’ to give an order for the instructions
In spoken English you can add ‘you’ to an instruction to make it more
informal: First, you take the baby outof the bathtub then you pour away the
water.
3. Directions: Take the first road on your leftand at the traffic lights turn
right.
4. Signs and notices: Insert coin here. Please, mind the gap
5. Invitations: Comeand sit next to me.
6. Informaladvice: Go and speak to him, he’s cute.