IMPERATIVES

Imperatives are used to give orders or suggestions. For example: "Come here!" or "Have a cookie". Here are some of the situations where you can use the imperatives.

Orders

- Close the door! 
- Stand up! 
- Sit down! 
- Open your books!

Instructions

To make a cup of coffee:
- Boil some water
- Put some coffee in a cup
- Add some water
- Drink the coffee.

Directions

To go to the bank: Turn left at Orchard Street, and then go straight.

Offers and Invitations

- Have some tea
- Come over to our house sometime.

Let's

The verb let is often used as an imperative to give strong suggestions. Let's is a contraction of let us. 

For example:
- Let's go home!
- Let's watch a movie!

So, let's revise what we have just said ...
We can use the imperative to give a direct order.

  1. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
  2. Stand up straight.
  3. Give me the details.
We can use the imperative to give instructions.

  1. Open your book.
  2. Take two tablets every evening.
  3. Take a left and then a right.
We can use the imperative to make an invitation.

  1. Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home.
  2. Please start without me. I'll be there shortly.
  3. Have a piece of this cake. It's delicious.


We can use the imperative on signs and notices.

  1. Push.
  2. Do not use.
  3. Insert one dollar.


We can use the imperative to give friendly informal advice.

  1. Speak to him. Tell him how you feel.
  2. Have a quiet word with her about it.
  3. Don't go. Stay at home and rest up. Get some sleep and recover.


We can make the imperative 'more polite' by adding 'do'.