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A1 – B1

Imperatives: The Complete Guide

Everything you need to give commands, instructions and requests naturally in English, including negative imperatives and how to sound polite, with exam practice.

📖 Reading time: ~8 minutes ✅ Reviewed by a CELTA-qualified teacher 🎯 Covers A1 to B2

📋 What's in This Guide

  1. 1. Introduction — What Are Imperatives?
  2. 2. Quick Summary
  3. 3. Forming the Imperative
  4. 4. Negative Imperatives
  5. 5. Softening a Command — Please, Just, Do
  6. 6. Let's — The First Person Imperative
  7. 7. Common Mistakes
  8. 8. Exercises
  9. 9. Mini Quiz
  10. 10. Exam Focus — Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
  11. 11. Frequently Asked Questions
  12. 12. Related Grammar Guides
  13. 13. Book a Free Level Test

1. Introduction — What Are Imperatives?

The imperative is the verb form used for giving commands, instructions, requests, warnings and advice. It's one of the simplest structures in English grammatically, just the base verb, no subject needed, but that simplicity hides a real challenge: imperatives can sound rude or friendly depending entirely on tone, context and a handful of softening words, which is exactly what this guide focuses on.

2. Quick Summary

⚡ Imperatives at a Glance

StructureBase verb, no subject: Close the door. / Sit down.
NegativeDon't + base verb: Don't touch that.
SoftenedPlease, just, do + imperative: Please sit down. Do come in.
First person pluralLet's + base verb: Let's go. / Let's not argue.

3. Forming the Imperative

UseExample
InstructionsTurn left at the lights. Add two eggs and mix well.
CommandsStop! Sit down.
RequestsPass me the salt, please.
WarningsWatch out! Be careful.
AdviceTake an umbrella, it's going to rain.
InvitationsCome in. Have a seat.
💡
No subject, but a real subject exists Imperatives have no visible subject, but the implied subject is always "you": "Close the door" means "[You] close the door." This matters for tag questions: "Close the door, will you?" not "will I?"

4. Negative Imperatives

StructureExample
Don't + base verbDon't touch that. Don't be late.
Never + base verb (stronger)Never talk to strangers.

5. Softening a Command — Please, Just, Do

A bare imperative ("Sit down") can sound abrupt or rude out of context. English has several ways to soften it.

SoftenerEffectExample
pleaseBasic politenessPlease sit down.
justMakes it sound smaller, more casualJust wait a moment.
do + base verb (emphatic)Makes an invitation warmer, more sincereDo come in, you're very welcome.
Could/Would you... insteadTurns a command into a genuine questionCould you close the door, please?
⚠️
Context and intonation matter more than the words "Sit down" said to a guest with a smile is friendly; the exact same words said sharply are a command. Since tone doesn't show in writing, softeners like "please" and question forms like "could you...?" do real work in written English, emails especially.

6. Let's — The First Person Imperative

"Let's" (let us) creates an imperative that includes the speaker, a suggestion for "we," not a command aimed only at the listener.

StructureExample
Let's + base verbLet's go to the cinema tonight.
Let's not + base verb (negative)Let's not argue about this.
Shall we? (tag question, British English)Let's go, shall we?

7. Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect✅ CorrectWhy
You close the door.Close the door.The imperative never states the subject "you" explicitly.
Not touch that.Don't touch that.Negative imperatives need "don't," not just "not."
Let's to go.Let's go."Let's" is followed directly by the base verb, no "to."
Close the door, will I?Close the door, will you?The implied subject of an imperative is always "you," so the tag question uses "you."

8. Exercises

A. Gap Fill — Complete with the correct imperative form (8 questions)

1. ___ (close) the window, it's cold. (imperative)
2. ___ (not/touch) the wet paint. (negative imperative)
3. ___ (go) to the beach this weekend! (let's suggestion)
4. Please ___ (sit) down.
5. ___ (be) careful, the floor is slippery!
6. Let's ___ (not/be) late this time.
7. ___ (turn) left, then go straight on. (instruction)
8. Do ___ (join) us, we'd love to have you.
Show Answers (A)
1. Close   2. Don't touch   3. Let's go   4. sit   5. Be   6. not be   7. Turn   8. join

B. Multiple Choice (5 questions)

1. ___ the door, please. (a) You close (b) Close
2. ___ touch that, it's hot! (a) Not (b) Don't
3. Let's ___ a walk. (a) to take (b) take
4. Close the door, ___? (a) will you (b) will I
5. ___ come in, you're welcome anytime. (a) Do (b) Does
Show Answers (B)
1.b 2.b 3.b 4.a 5.a

C. Error Correction (4 questions)

1. You close the door.
2. Not touch that.
3. Let's to go.
4. Close the door, will I?
Show Answers (C)
1. Close the door.
2. Don't touch that.
3. Let's go.
4. Close the door, will you?

D. Freer Practice — Write Your Own Sentences (2 tasks)

1. Write three instructions for a simple recipe using imperatives.
2. Write a polite request using "could you" instead of a bare imperative.
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples:
1. "Boil the water. Add the pasta. Stir occasionally."
2. "Could you pass me the salt, please?"

9. Mini Quiz

1. ___ the window, please.

2. ___ worry, everything is fine.

3. Let's ___ home now.

4. Close the door, ___?

10. Exam Focus — Cambridge, IELTS, SELT

ExamHow This Is TestedSample Question
Cambridge A2 Key / B1 PreliminaryInstructions and directions using imperatives are a core Listening and Reading task type.Following a set of instructions with imperative verbs in a Reading Part 5 task.
IELTS Writing Task 1 (General)Polite imperatives and softened requests are expected in formal letter writing."Please could you send me further details" rather than a bare command.
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)Giving instructions or directions naturally is a common speaking task."Turn left, then go straight on until you reach the station."

11. Frequently Asked Questions

The verb form used for commands, instructions, requests and advice, formed with the base verb and no stated subject: "Close the door."
The implied subject is always "you," even though it's never written or spoken, which is why tag questions after an imperative use "you": "Sit down, will you?"
Add "don't" before the base verb: "Don't touch that." "Never" can be used for a stronger negative: "Never talk to strangers."
Add "please," soften it with "just," or turn it into a question instead: "Could you close the door, please?" is much softer than the bare command.
"Let's" (let us) makes a suggestion that includes the speaker: "Let's go" means "you and I should go," followed directly by the base verb, no "to."
Yes — giving instructions or directions naturally, using imperatives appropriately, is a common everyday speaking task.
Sentence Structure & Word OrderWhere imperatives fit among sentence types Modal VerbsSofter ways to give advice and requests Formal vs Informal EnglishChoosing the right register for a request General English CoursesBuild every grammar point with expert guidance

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