Imperative grammar is very easy in English. To do a multiple-choice online test on imperative grammar , please click here. When we want to…
- tell a person what to do (an order)
- give advice to someone / make suggestions
- make an invitation
… all you need to do is – use an infinitive without ‘to’
Imperative Grammar Examples
- Give an order
- Go to bed!
- Don’t eat that!
- Close the door – it’s freezing!
- Give advice
- Be positive.
- Look on the bright side of things.
- Go and speak to him… I’m sure he’ll understand.
- Forget about him… you’re too good for him anyway!
- Make an invitation
- Come to our barbecue at the weekend. It’s going to be really sunny.
- Have another biscuit
- Sit down and relax. Make yourself at home.
In our latest video below, how many examples of imperative grammar can you count in the ‘Happiness Lessons’?
Negative Imperative
To make an imperative negative just use DO NOT (Don’t) or NEVER
- POSITIVE
- NEGATIVE
- Eat it! It’s good for you.
- Don’t eat that! It’s been on the floor
- Close the door – it’s freezing!
- Don’t close the door – I need some air.
- Turn off the computer when you have finished
- Do not turn off the computer. I am downloading some new software.
- Wait for me!
- Don’t wait for me if I’m late tonight. I’ll meet you inside the club.
- Tell him that he’s stupid!
- Never tell him that he’s stupid or he will go nuts!
- Push the button and it will work
- Never push a red button unless you know what it’s for.
Let’s
When you make a suggestion and you are included in the group of people, use Let’s, e.g. “Let’s go!”
- I’m really hungry. Let’s order a pizza.
- It’s such a beautiful day today. Let’s go out and get an ice-cream.
- I’m really tired. Let’s go to bed.
