Main points
+The imperative is the same as the base form of a verb.
+You form a negative imperative with ‘do not’, ‘don’t, or ‘never’.
+You use the imperative to ask or tell someone to do something, or to give advice, warnings, or instructions on how to do something.
+You use ‘let’ when you are offering to do something, making suggestion, or telling someone to do something.
a) The imperative is the same as the base form of a verb. You do not use a pronoun in front of it.
- Come to my place.
- Start when you hear the bell.
b) You form a negative imperative by putting ‘do not’, ‘don’t, or ‘never’ in front of the verb.
- Do not write in this book.
- Don’t go so fast.
- Never open the front door to strangers.
c) You use the imperative when you are:
*asking or telling someone to do something.
- Pass the salt.
- Hurry up!
*giving someone advice or a warning.
- Mind your head.
- Take care!
*giving someone instructions on how to do something.
- Put this bit over here, so it fits into that hole.
- Turn right off Broadway into Caxton Street.
d) When you want to make an imperative more polite or more emphatic, you can put ‘do’ in front of it.
- Do have a chocolate biscuit.
- Do stop crying.
- Do be careful.
e) The imperative is also used in written instructions on how to do something, for example on notices and packets of food, and in books.
- To report faults, dial 6667.
- Store in a dry place.
- Fry the chopped onion and pepper in the oil.
Note that written instructions usually have to be short. This means that words such as ‘the’ are often omitted.
- Wear rubber gloves.
- Turn off switch.
- Wipe bulb.
Written imperatives are also used to give warnings.
- Reduce speed now.
f) You use ‘let me’ followed by the base form of a verb when you are offering to do something for someone.
- Let me take your coat.
- Let me give you a few details.
g) You use ‘let’s’ followed by the base form of a verb when you are suggesting what you and someone else should do.
- Let’s go outside.
- Let’s look at our map.
Note that the form ‘let us’ is only used in formal or written English.
- Let us consider a very simple example.
You put ‘do’ before ‘let’s’ when you are very keen to do something.
- Do let’s get a taxi.
The negative of ‘let’s’ is ‘let’s not’ or ‘don’t let’s’.
- Let’s not talk about that.
- Don’t let’s actually write it in the book.
h) You use ‘let’ followed by a noun group and the base form of a verb when you are telling someone to do something or to allow someone else to do it.
- Let me see it.
- Let Phillip have a look at it.
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Top Tips Abz Ingles: Part A - Part B
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See also:
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