The imperative mood is used to tell someone what to do. It covers direct commands, instructions, requests, invitations, and warnings. Imperatives often focus on the action, so the subject is usually omitted because it is understood. In English, the implied subject is most often “you.”

Most imperatives use the base form of the verb: “Open the door.” This form does not change for person or number, so the same verb form works for one person or many. The listener is inferred from context, not shown in the verb ending. If you add a subject, it is mainly for emphasis or clarity.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use the base verb form	📌 使用动词原形	Close the window.	💬 关上窗户。
Subject is usually omitted	📌 主语通常省略	Sit down.	💬 坐下。
Add a subject for emphasis or contrast	📌 为强调或对比添加主语	You stay here.	💬 你就呆在这里。
Imperative works for singular or plural listener	📌 祈使句对单数或复数听者都适用	Everyone listen carefully.	💬 大家请仔细听。

To make an imperative negative, use “do not” or the contraction “don’t” before the base verb. Negative imperatives are used to stop, forbid, or warn against an action. The meaning can be strict or gentle depending on tone and context. In writing, “do not” can sound more formal or more forceful than “don’t.”

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use do not plus base verb	📌 在基本动词前使用“do not”	Do not touch that.	💬 不要碰那个。
Use don’t for everyday speech	📌 在日常口语中使用缩写形式“don’t”	Don’t worry.	💬 别担心。
Put do not before be	📌 将“do not”放在 be 之前	Don’t be late.	💬 别迟到了。
Use negative imperative for warnings	📌 用否定祈使句来发出警告	Don’t forget your passport.	💬 别忘记你的护照。

Imperatives can sound abrupt, so English often adds politeness markers to soften them. Common softeners include “please,” “could you,” “would you,” “let’s,” and friendly openings like “just” or “when you have a minute.” These additions do not change the core imperative meaning, but they change the social tone. “Please” can be placed at the beginning or end, with slightly different emphasis.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Add please to soften the command	📌 在指令上添加请以缓和	Please take a seat.	💬 请坐下。
Put please at the end for a gentle request	📌 将请放在句末以获得温和请求	Pass the salt, please.	💬 请把盐递给我。
Use could you or would you for polite requests	📌 使用could you或would you进行礼貌请求	Could you email me the file?	💬 你能把文件发给我吗？
Use when you have a minute to reduce urgency	📌 需要在你有空时使用以降低紧迫感	When you have a minute, call me.	💬 有空时给我打电话。

“Let’s” creates an inclusive imperative that suggests an action for the speaker and listener together. It is used for suggestions, plans, and invitations rather than orders. The negative form is commonly “Let’s not” plus the base verb. In more formal or careful speech, “Do not let’s” exists but is much less common.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use let’s plus base verb for a shared action	📌 使用“让我们一起”+ 基本动词来表示共享行动	Let’s start now.	💬 现在就让我们开始。
Use let’s for suggestions and planning	📌 使用“让我们一起”来表达建议和计划	Let’s meet at six.	💬 让我们六点见面。
Negative is usually let’s not plus base verb	📌 否定通常是让我们不要 + 基本动词	Let’s not argue about it.	💬 让我们不要为此争论。
Use shall we as a tag to invite agreement	📌 使用shall we作为标签来邀请达成一致	Let’s take a break, shall we?	💬 让我们休息一下，可以吗？

English can add “do” before an affirmative imperative to make it sound more insistent, encouraging, or persuasive. This is common in spoken English and friendly hosting situations, but it can also add pressure in disagreements. It is different from the auxiliary “do” in questions because it does not invert with the subject. The verb after “do” stays in the base form.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use do plus base verb for emphasis	📌 在基本动词前使用“do”以强调	Do come in.	💬 请进。
Use emphasis do for encouragement	📌 使用强调 do 来鼓励	Do try the soup.	💬 试试这道汤。
Use emphasis do to insist	📌 使用强调 do 以坚持	Do listen to me.	💬 听我说。

The verb “be” forms imperatives with “Be” plus an adjective or noun phrase. These can express behavior, attitude, or identity in a moment, and they often sound stronger than action-verb imperatives. The negative uses “Don’t be.” In many contexts, “Be” imperatives can feel personal, so softeners are common when politeness matters.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use be plus adjective for behavior or attitude	📌 使用 be 加形容词来表示行为或态度	Be quiet.	💬 安静一点。
Use be plus noun phrase for roles or identity	📌 使用 be 加名词短语来表示角色或身份	Be a good friend.	💬 做一个好朋友。
Negative uses don’t be	📌 否定形式用 don’t be	Don’t be rude.	💬 不要无礼。
Add softeners to reduce harshness	📌 添加缓和语以降低强硬程度	Please be careful.	💬 请小心。

Imperatives are strongly shaped by tone, context, and add-ons like question tags. Tags such as “will you,” “would you,” or “can you” can make an instruction sound more like a request, but they can also sound impatient if stressed. A rising intonation often signals friendliness or invitation, while a falling intonation often signals authority or finality. Written imperatives also change tone through punctuation and word choice.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use will you as a request tag	📌 使用“will you”作为请求标签	Close the door, will you?	💬 把门关上，可以吗？
Use can you for a practical request	📌 使用“can you”来表达实际请求	Give me a hand, can you?	💬 给我帮个忙，可以吗？
Use okay or alright to soften and seek agreement	📌 使用“okay”或“alright”来缓和并寻求同意	Text me when you arrive, okay?	💬 到达时给我发短信，可以吗？
Exclamation marks increase urgency or emotion	📌 感叹号会增加紧迫感或情感	Stop!	💬 停止！

Although imperatives usually omit the subject, English can include it for contrast, control, or clarity. “You” can sound forceful, especially when correcting someone or assigning responsibility. Names or group labels can target the instruction to a specific person or audience. Adding “somebody” or “someone” can assign a task without choosing a specific person directly.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use you for strong focus or correction	📌 使用你来实现强烈关注或纠正	You apologize right now.	💬 你现在就道歉。
Use a name to target one person	📌 使用名字来定位到一个人	Maya, call me after class.	💬 玛雅，下课后给我打电话。
Use group labels for audience control	📌 使用群体标签来控制受众	Kids, settle down.	💬 孩子们，安静下来。
Use someone to assign a task indirectly	📌 使用某人来间接分配任务	Someone get a chair.	💬 某人，去拿椅子。

Imperatives appear in many everyday contexts, not only in strict commands. They are standard for instructions, directions, signs, recipes, manuals, and spoken guidance. They are also used for offers and invitations, especially with “help yourself” or “have.” Understanding the intended relationship and setting helps you interpret whether an imperative is strict, neutral, or friendly.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use imperatives for instructions and procedures	📌 将祈使句用于指示和程序	Add the eggs and stir.	💬 加入鸡蛋并搅拌。
Use imperatives for directions	📌 将祈使句用于指示方向	Turn left at the lights.	💬 在路灯处向左转。
Use imperatives in signs and notices	📌 在标志和通知中使用祈使句	Keep off the grass.	💬 请勿踩草地。
Use imperatives for invitations and hosting	📌 将祈使句用于邀请与招待	Have a seat.	💬 请坐。

English imperatives use the base verb form, usually with an implied “you.” Negatives use “do not” or “don’t,” and politeness often depends on add-ons like “please” or modal request forms. “Let’s” creates an inclusive suggestion, and “do” can add emphasis. Subject choices, tags, and intonation strongly influence how direct or polite an imperative sounds.