The imperative is a verb form for telling someone what to do. It is used for commands, instructions, warnings, and suggestions. The imperative speaks directly to one person or to a group.

Use the base form of the verb in the imperative. You do not use a subject before the verb in most imperative sentences. The verb stays the same for one person and for many people.

Rule
Use the base verb for an imperative sentence.
Do not add he, she, or they before the verb in most imperative sentences.
Use the same verb form for one person and for a group.

To make a negative imperative, use do not or don't before the base verb. This form tells someone not to do something. Do not is more formal, and don't is more common in everyday English.

Rule
Use do not before the base verb to make a negative imperative.
Use don't before the base verb in everyday English.
Use the same negative form for one person and for a group.

Please makes an imperative more polite. It changes a command into a request. Please can go at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

Rule
Use please to make an imperative more polite.
Put please before the verb for a polite request.
Put please at the end of the sentence for a polite request.

The imperative has several common uses in daily English. It can give directions, state warnings, and tell steps in instructions. It can also make simple suggestions to another person or to a group.

Word or Phrase	Definition
Command	It tells someone to do something directly.
Instruction	It tells the steps or actions to follow.
Warning	It tells someone about danger or care.
Suggestion	It tells an idea for what to do.
Direction	It tells where to go or how to move.

You can now use the imperative to speak directly to people in English. You can give commands and instructions with the base verb, make negative imperatives with do not or don't, and use please for polite requests. You can also use the imperative for warnings, directions, and suggestions.