Imperative sentences are used to give orders, instructions, make requests, or offer invitations. They always use the base form of a verb and do not require a subject because “you” is understood.
How Imperative Sentences Are Formed
Imperative sentences use the base form of the verb. The subject “you” is implied and never written. For example: “Sit down,” means “You sit down.”
- Use the base verb form (e.g., go, eat, listen).
- Do not write the subject — it is always understood to be “you.”
- The verb comes first in the sentence.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example (Base + Object/Ending)</th>
<th>Usage</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Open</td>
<td>Command</td>
<td>Open + the door</td>
<td>Giving a direct order or command</td>
<td>Open the window.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eat</td>
<td>Command/Request</td>
<td>Eat + your + food</td>
<td>Giving a polite request or order</td>
<td>Eat your vegetables.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Listen</td>
<td>Instruction</td>
<td>Listen + carefully</td>
<td>Giving advice or instruction</td>
<td>Listen carefully.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Don’t + verb</td>
<td>Negative Instruction</td>
<td>Don’t + touch + that</td>
<td>Giving a negative command</td>
<td>Don’t touch the stove.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Types of Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences fall into several categories depending on their purpose: commands, requests, instructions, invitations, or warnings.
Commands
Commands are direct orders using the base verb form.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Close the door.</td>
<td>Order to close the door.</td>
<td>Close the door.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stand up.</td>
<td>Order to stand up.</td>
<td>Stand up.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Requests
Requests use polite words like “please” or modal verbs.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pass me the salt, please.</td>
<td>Polite request for the salt.</td>
<td>Pass me the salt, please.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Please sit down.</td>
<td>Polite request to sit.</td>
<td>Please sit down.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Instructions
Instructions explain how to do something step by step.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Turn left at the corner.</td>
<td>Instruction to turn left.</td>
<td>Turn left at the corner.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mix the ingredients well.</td>
<td>Instruction to mix ingredients.</td>
<td>Mix the ingredients well.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Invitations
Invitations use “let’s” to include the speaker and the listener.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Let’s go to the park.</td>
<td>Invitation to go together.</td>
<td>Let’s go to the park.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Let’s have dinner.</td>
<td>Invitation to eat together.</td>
<td>Let’s have dinner.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Warnings
Warnings use words like “be careful” or “watch out” to alert someone.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Be careful with the knife.</td>
<td>Warning to be cautious.</td>
<td>Be careful with the knife.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Watch out for cars!</td>
<td>Urgent warning to look out.</td>
<td>Watch out for cars!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Negative Imperatives
Use “don’t” + base verb to form negative commands (telling someone not to do something).
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Don’t run in the hallway.</td>
<td>Order not to run in the hallway.</td>
<td>Don’t run in the hallway.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Don’t touch the painting.</td>
<td>Order not to touch the painting.</td>
<td>Don’t touch the painting.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Using “Let’s” for Suggestions
“Let’s” is a special form used to make suggestions and includes both the speaker and the listener.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Let’s study together.</td>
<td>Suggestion to study together.</td>
<td>Let’s study together.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Let’s take a break.</td>
<td>Suggestion to take a break.</td>
<td>Let’s take a break.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Which sentence correctly uses “let’s” for a suggestion?
Let’s go to the park.
“Let’s go to the park” is correct; it suggests going together. The other options are ungrammatical.
What does “Let’s” mean in imperative sentences?
It means “let us” and includes both speaker and listener.
“Let’s” is a contraction of “let us” and is used to suggest that both speaker and listener do something together.
Polite Imperatives
Add “please” at the beginning or end to make a command more polite.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Imperative Sentence</th>
<th>Meaning</th>
<th>Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Please close the door.</td>
<td>Polite request to close the door.</td>
<td>Please close the door.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pass the salt, please.</td>
<td>Polite request for the salt.</td>
<td>Pass the salt, please.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Summary
Imperative sentences:
- Use the base verb form.
- The subject “you” is understood, not written.
- Can be commands, requests, instructions, invitations, or warnings.
- Use “don’t” + verb for negative imperatives.
- Use “let’s” + verb for suggestions including yourself.
- Add “please” to be more polite.
Which of these is a correct imperative sentence?
Sit down.
Imperative sentences use the base verb without a subject, so “Sit down.” is correct.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
