The imperative mood is used to tell someone what to do. It expresses commands, instructions, requests, and advice. In English, the imperative usually addresses the listener directly. The subject you is understood and is usually not stated.

The imperative is formed with the base form of the verb. Do not add a subject before the verb. Punctuation and tone can signal whether the command is strong, neutral, or polite.

Rule
Use the base form of the verb to give an instruction.
Do not write the subject you in a regular imperative.
Use punctuation to clarify the tone in writing.

Negative imperatives are formed with do not or don't plus the base verb. This structure tells someone not to do something. The word not comes before the main verb.

Rule
Use do not plus the base verb to tell someone not to do something.
Use don't plus the base verb for a shorter form.

Politeness in imperatives can be increased by adding please, especially at the beginning or end. The imperative can also sound softer when used as a request instead of a command. Intonation in speech and context also affect how polite an imperative feels.

Rule
Add please to make an imperative more polite.
Place please at the start or end to signal politeness.

Let’s is used to include the speaker and the listener in a suggestion or instruction. It is not a command to another person alone. The structure is let’s plus the base form of the verb.

Rule
Use let’s plus the base verb to suggest a shared action.
Do not use let’s as a command to only the listener.

The imperative uses the base verb to give instructions and commands, with you understood as the subject. Negatives use do not or don't plus the base verb. Politeness can be added with please, and let’s is used for inclusive suggestions.