- imperatives
- ◊ GRAMMARYou use an imperative clause when you are telling someone to do something or not to do something. An imperative clause usually has no subject.\◊ formThe imperative form of a verb is the same as its base form.
Come here.
Take two tablets every four hours.
Be sensible.
\Enjoy yourself.
For a negative imperative, you use `don't' and the base form of the verb. In formal English, you use `do not' and the base form.Don't touch that wire!
Don't be afraid of them.
\Do not forget to leave the key on the desk.
◊ emphasis and politenessAn imperative form usually comes at the beginning of a sentence. However, you can put `always' or `never' first for emphasis.Always check that you have enough money first.
\Never believe what he tells you.
You can also use `do' to add emphasis.\Do be careful!
You can add `please' to the beginning or end of the clause in order to be more polite.Please don't do that.
\Follow me, please.
Question tags are sometimes added after imperative clauses to make them sound more like requests, or to express impatience or anger.Post that letter for me, will you?
Hurry up, can't you?
See entry at ↑ Requests, orders, and instructions.\The subject `you' is sometimes used when people want to indicate which person they are talking to, or want to add emphasis or express anger.\You get in the car this minute!
◊ WARNINGAn imperative can often sound rude or abrupt. See entries at ↑ Advising someone, ↑ Invitations, ↑ Requests, orders, and instructions, ↑ Suggestions, and ↑ Warning someone for detailed information on alternatives to imperatives.\◊ conditional useSometimes, when an imperative is followed by `and' or `or', it has a meaning similar to a conditional clause beginning `If you...'. For example, `Take that piece away, and the whole lot falls down' means `If you take that piece away, the whole lot falls down'. `Go away or I'll call the police' means `If you don't go away, I'll call the police'.\Hurry up, or you'll be late for school.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
