Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 56 views

    The Imperative Form

    Uploaded by

    stigma subs ;;
    The document discusses the different forms of the imperative mood in English, which is used to give orders, prompt actions, or provide instructions. There are affirmative forms using only the infinitive verb, negative forms adding "do not", and exhortative forms using "let's". More direct imperatives can be softened using words like "please", while suggestions can be made with constructions like "let's" and "why don't we". Imperatives can also be directed at groups using words like "everybody".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    The Imperative Form

    Uploaded by

    stigma subs ;;
    56 views3 pages
    The document discusses the different forms of the imperative mood in English, which is used to give orders, prompt actions, or provide instructions. There are affirmative forms using only the infinitive verb, negative forms adding "do not", and exhortative forms using "let's". More direct imperatives can be softened using words like "please", while suggestions can be made with constructions like "let's" and "why don't we". Imperatives can also be directed at groups using words like "everybody".

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document discusses the different forms of the imperative mood in English, which is used to give orders, prompt actions, or provide instructions. There are affirmative forms using only the infinitive verb, negative forms adding "do not", and exhortative forms using "let's". More direct imperatives can be softened using words like "please", while suggestions can be made with constructions like "let's" and "why don't we". Imperatives can also be directed at groups using words like "everybody".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    56 views3 pages

    The Imperative Form

    Uploaded by

    stigma subs ;;
    The document discusses the different forms of the imperative mood in English, which is used to give orders, prompt actions, or provide instructions. There are affirmative forms using only the infinitive verb, negative forms adding "do not", and exhortative forms using "let's". More direct imperatives can be softened using words like "please", while suggestions can be made with constructions like "let's" and "why don't we". Imperatives can also be directed at groups using words like "everybody".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 3

    In English, as in many other languages, we can influence the person we are speaking to

    by prompting them to perform or to not perform a specific action. The most direct way of
    doing this is through use of the imperative, as the name of this verbal mood indicates. The
    imperative mood in English is generally used to give an order, to prompt someone to do
    something, to give a warning or to give instructions.
    There are several distinguishable forms of the imperative in English: affirmative, negative,
    and exhortative, as well as the more cordial ways of expressing an order. Let us look at
    the characteristics of each of these together.

    This is the most common and direct form of the imperative. There is only second person
    singular and plural. It is formed by using the infinitive of the verb without the “to.”
    ✓ Hurry up or you’ll miss the show!
    ✓ Switch the TV off.
    ✓ Put the flour, milk, and eggs in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
    Given that this is a very direct way to give orders, it can be accompanied by other
    expressions such as just, please, and if you do not mind to soften the tone.
    ✓ Just wait for me here, please.
    ✓ Close the door if you would not mind.

    The negative form of the affirmative imperative requires the addition of the auxiliaries do +
    not (don’t in its contracted form) to be added to the infinitive version of the verb without the
    “to.”
    ✓ Do not be late!
    ✓ Do not go to work today.
    ✓ Do not keep opening the fridge!

    More than an imperative, this imperative is an exhortation and only applies to the first-
    person plural. In some cases, it is accompanied byplease. It is formed using the prefix
    Let’s + the infinitive of the verb without “to” in the affirmative form.
    ✓ Let us observe a minute of silence, please.
    In the negative form, the addition of the negation is not required between the prefix and the
    verb.
    ✓ Let’s not go in, please.
    When the prefix Let by a personal pronoun other than us, the meaning changes to “allow”.
    ✓ Let me do the washing up for once.

    In some cases, the imperative can be used to give suggestions or to make proposals. In
    these cases, we have two constructions:
    Let’s + infinitive verb without the “to” (Exhortative Imperative)
    ✓ Let’s not miss the train.
    ✓ Let’s take a holiday!
    Why don’t we + infinitive verb without the “to”
    ✓ Why don’t we go to the beach?
    ✓ Why don’t you tell her the truth?

    In some cases, a personal pronoun can be added to reinforce the imperative value. But be
    careful to not appear impolite. This verbal form is only used for a strong and decisive
    order.
    ✓ Can I go home?
    ✓ No, you wait another 10 minutes.
    ✓ Don’t you tell me what to do!

    In some situations, we must speak to a clearly defined group of people. In that case, we
    can use words like somebody, everybody, and all.
    ✓ Somebody call an ambulance. Quick!
    ✓ Everybody sit down, please.
    ✓ All rise! (used in courtrooms)
    In some cases, the auxiliary Do can be added to give a more formal and courteous
    appearance to the imperative.
    ✓ Do come in!
    ✓ Do come and visit us next time.
    ✓ Do help yourselves to the buffet!

    You might also like