Imperatives (A1)

1. What are imperatives?

Imperatives are used to give instructions and commands, or make requests.

They are common in:

instructions
rules and warnings
signs
orders
advice

You often see imperatives on signs and notices:

Push
Do not enter
Keep off the grass
Please do not smoke

2. Form

Positive imperatives

We use positive imperatives to tell someone to do something.

Base verb (+ object)

Open the door. (The subject you is understood but normally not said.)

Stand up.
Write your name.
Turn on the light.
Look at the board.

Negative imperatives

We use negative imperatives to tell someone not to do something.

Don’t / Do not + base verb

Don’t run.
Don’t touch the hot pan.
Don’t be late.
Don’t forget your bag.

Suggestions with “let’s”

Use let’s + base verb to suggest an action for the speaker and one or more other people. Let’s means let us.

Let’s + base verb

Let’s go.
Let’s start the lesson.
Let’s have lunch together.

For a negative suggestion, use let’s not + base verb.

Let’s not be late.

3. Imperatives for instructions

Recipes and step-by-step directions often use a series of positive imperatives. Start each step with the base verb; you do not need to repeat the subject you.

Take two eggs.
Add the sugar.
Mix well.
Bake for 20 minutes.

4. Polite imperatives

We can make imperatives more polite by adding please.

Please sit down.
Please open the window.
Please listen.
Sit down, please.
Close the door, please.

Please can go at the beginning or the end of an imperative. Both positions are correct.

When you speak directly to someone, a plain imperative can sound strong. Please makes it more polite. A question with could you …? is often softer.

Close the door. (direct command)
Please close the door. (polite request)
Could you close the door, please? (softer request)

5. Common Mistakes

Common mistake	Correct form	Rule
❌ To open the book.	✅ Open the book.	Start a positive imperative with the base verb, without to.
❌ Opens the window.	✅ Open the window.	Do not add -s to the imperative verb.
❌ Don’t to run.	✅ Don’t run.	Use don’t + base verb.
❌ Let’s to go.	✅ Let’s go.	Use let’s + base verb.
❌ Let’s don’t wait.	✅ Let’s not wait.	Use let’s not for a negative suggestion.

Quick check

Try one question now

You look tired. and rest for a while.

Check your answer when you are ready.

6. Quick Summary

Purpose	Form	Example
instruction or command	base verb	Turn on the light.
negative command	don’t + base verb	Don’t touch the pan.
polite request	please + imperative	Please sit down.
suggestion for a group	let’s + base verb	Let’s go.
negative suggestion	let’s not + base verb	Let’s not be late.

Remember: an imperative normally has no subject. A plain imperative is normal in instructions, recipes and signs, but it can sound too direct in conversation.