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Imperatives: Sit down! Don’t run!
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 14 of 24
We use the imperative to tell people what to do or not to do. You see it in instructions, signs, recipes and classroom English.
Rule
The imperative is the base verb with no subject. For the negative, use Don’t + base verb. It is the same for one person or many people.
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Sit down. | Don’t sit there. |
| Open your books. | Don’t open the door. |
| Be quiet. | Don’t be late. |
When do we use it?
- Instructions: Turn left at the bank. Add salt and mix.
- Orders and rules: Stop! Don’t touch that!
- Advice and warnings: Be careful! Don’t worry.
- Invitations and offers: Come in! Have a cake.
Listen and repeat.
Don’t run in the corridor.
Take the second street on the right.
Don’t forget your umbrella.
Wash your hands before dinner.
Don’t be sad.
Please close the window.
Being polite
You often see imperatives on signs: Push. Pull. Don’t walk on the grass. Keep right.
An imperative can sound strong. Add please at the start or the end to make it more polite: Please sit down. Sit down, please.
Let’s
To make a suggestion for you and me, use Let’s (let us) + base verb. The negative is Let’s not.
Let’s go to the cinema.
Let’s not wait. Let’s take a taxi.
Common mistakes
✗ No run!
✓ Don’t run!
✗ Not be late.
✓ Don’t be late.
✗ Opens the door, please.
✓ Open the door, please.
✗ Let’s to go home.
✓ Let’s go home.