Use an imperative when a sign, recipe or speaker tells someone what to do. The listener is normally understood without a written subject.

The idea

Start with the base verb: Close the window. Use don't before the base verb to say not to do something. The imperative of be is be, as in Be careful.

Examples

  • Close the window, please.
  • Don't touch the wet paint.
  • Take the second turning on the left.
  • Please wait outside the office.
  • Be careful with that glass.
  • Don't leave your keys on the seat.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not add third-person -s to an instruction. Please can soften a request, but tone and the situation still affect how direct it sounds.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. ___ the window, please. (Close / Closes)

    Show answer or example answer

    Close

    Close is the base form used to address the listener; closes describes a third-person subject.

  2. Choose the correct option. ___ touch the wet paint. (Don't / Doesn't)

    Show answer or example answer

    Don't

    Don't makes this instruction negative and is followed by the base form touch.

  3. Choose the correct option. ___ careful with that glass. (Be / Are)

    Show answer or example answer

    Be

    Be is the imperative form before the adjective careful; are is not used for this instruction.

Use it today

Write two positive instructions and one negative instruction for people sharing a kitchen. Add please where it suits the request.