Definition of Imperative Sentences
An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that gives a command, instruction, request, or advice. It usually has an understood subject "you," which means the person being spoken to, and the verb is in its base form. These sentences are direct and often end with a period or an exclamation mark when expressing urgency.
Formation of Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are formed by using the base form of a verb without a visible subject. The implied subject is "you." For example, "Close the door" or "Please sit down." Politeness can be added by using words like "please" or softening the command into a request.
Examples of Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences can take various tones or purposes depending on the context:
- Command: "Stop talking!"
- Request: "Please pass me the salt."
- Advice: "Take the next left turn."
- Invitation: "Join us for lunch."
- Warning: "Watch out for the car!"
Negative Imperative Sentences
To make an imperative sentence negative, we typically use "do not" or the contracted form "don't" before the verb. For example: "Don't forget your keys." This form tells someone not to perform an action.
Imperative Sentences with Let’s
The phrase "Let's" is used in imperative sentences that include the speaker and others to suggest an action together: "Let’s go to the park." This invites or motivates collective action.
Imperative Conjugation Table
| English Pronoun | English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation | English Example | Spanish Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You | Close | Cierra | Close the window. | Cierra la ventana. |
| You (negative) | Don’t open | No abras | Don’t open the door. | No abras la puerta. |
| We (Let’s) | Let’s eat | Comamos | Let’s eat dinner now. | Comamos la cena ahora. |
Imperative sentences are an essential part of everyday communication and are straightforward to use once you understand their structure and intention.
