recap the imperative

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 1

The Imperative

So first: What is the imperative?

The imperative is what we in Dutch call:

de gebiedende wijs.

So the imperative is used to instruct people, to tell them what to do. (for advice, requests, suggestions etc.)

Take a look at the following two sentences and drag them to the right place:

request (een verzoek)

an instruction

'Could you close the door?'

'Close the door.'

negative imperatives

Of course you can also tell people NOT to do something. (when you want to prevent them from walking on your lawn, for example.)

The negative form is:  Do + not + base verb.

For example: Do not speak!

Don't smoke! Do not use superglue on your little brothers forehead! And don't walk on the grass! 

(remember that do not and don't are the same thing!)

which sentence is written in imperative?

1. Run away! As fast as you can!
2. Can you run away, please?
3. My mother never told me to run.
4. Did he run away?

Which sentence gives an order?

1. Could you stay away from the fire, please?
2. Don't go near the fire!
3. You can not go near the fire!
4. We must put out the fire!

How do you translate:
'Wees op tijd'?

1. Take your time.
2. Are on time.
3. Be on time.
4. Be on the right time.

How do you translate:
'Ga naar boven!'

1. Turn up!
2. Go upstairs!
3. Go downstairs!
4. Up stairs!

How do you translate:
'Niet in de paal klimmen!'?

1. Don't in the pole climbing!
2. The pole not climbing!
3. No climbing the pole.
4. Don't climb in the pole!

You drive too fast, ____________   down! 

________ we go out?

_____  _____  on the table!

________   them to the airport!

______   _______   and drive!

_________  your dirty boots outside!

_____________ your shoes

Don't sit

Leave

Don't drink

Take

Tie

Shall

Slow

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So, to conclude:

• the imperative is always the base form. But without the 'to'. And you never add 'ing' to the base form. 
• the word 'you' is implied. So we don't use it.  (Be here when the bell rings! Understand: YOU be here when the bell rings!)
• To make a negative imperative, simply start with do not or don't  (don't drink the water!)
• You can add 'please' to make it sound more polite. (please, close the door!)

Do you understand the imperative?