English Imperatives: Giving Instructions and Orders
The imperative is the simplest verb form in English: just use the base verb with no subject. Say "Open the window, please" or "Turn left at the bank" to give an instruction, a direction, or an invitation. To make it negative, put "don't" in front of the base verb, as in "Don't touch that." Add "please" to soften a command into a polite request.
Examples
- Open the window, please. a polite request to open the window
- Don't touch that. telling someone not to touch something
- Turn left at the bank. giving a direction
The full lesson
Everything in the video, in text.
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One word can be a whole sentence in English: Stop. Wait. Listen. Those are commands — and you'll use them every day.
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To give an order or instruction, drop the subject and just use the base verb — the plain dictionary form, all on its own.
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This is called the imperative. Here's a polite request — notice there's no you, and please softens it. Open the window, please.
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Directions work exactly the same way — just the base verb. Turn left at the bank.
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Recipes and instructions are full of imperatives — one step after another. Add two eggs and mix well.
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To tell someone NOT to do something, put don't in front of the base verb.
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So the negative is simple — don't plus the verb. Don't touch that.
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It's also how we reassure people — short and warm. Don't worry.
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Want to include yourself in the suggestion? Start with let's — that's short for let us.
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Use let's to suggest doing something together — you're part of it too. Let's go!
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Careful here. Adding you to a command — You sit down — sounds harsh, even angry. Drop it: just say Sit down.
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And don't forget the word don't. No smoke here isn't English — you need Don't smoke here.
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So: base verb for a command, don't for the negative, please to be polite, and let's to include yourself.