What is an Imperative Sentence? (Definition, Examples, How to Identify)

What is an imperative sentence? A sentence that conveys a command, a warning, an instruction, a request, or an invitation is defined as an imperative sentence. An imperative sentence does not have a subject. It is a directive communicated to an inferred second person. The subject is implied in the sentence.

In an imperative sentence, the verb is always in the simple present tense. An imperative sentence ends with a period (.) or an exclamation point (!).

Imperative sentence: Definition

Any sentence that uses an imperative mood is defined as an imperative sentence. The imperative mood, in English grammar, is the mood used when making requests and giving suggestions, commands, or instructions. This mood is employed when something needs to be done.

Imperative sentences: Easy examples

Some commonly used imperative sentences include:

Giving an order or command

• Clean your room!
• Get out! 
• Shut up! 
• Finish the project by tomorrow.

Making a request

• Please take out the trash.
• Please clean your room.
• Please switch off the lights when you leave the room.
• Please do not dump your trash in the park.

Giving a warning

• Look out! 
• Watch out!
• Try not to cross the yellow line.
• Watch your step.

Giving an instruction

• Turn right at the central square.
• Boil the egg for ten minutes.
• Drink the medicine with honey at night.
• Heat the pan before pouring the batter.

Giving advice

• Don’t eat at the cafe near your school.
• Do not walk on wet floors.
• Do not try to jump over the fence.
• Don’t play with yellow snow.

Rules for constructing an imperative sentence

The basic rules listed below will assist an author in better comprehending the idea of imperative sentences:

No subject

An imperative sentence does not have a subject. It starts with an imperative verb. The subject is understood but not mentioned.

Consider the sentences given below:

1. Ronald, take the dogs out for a walk.
2. Mary, start working on your midterm project.
3. Kids, play carefully.
4. Tutors, teach well.
5. Children, stand in a line.

In the sentences above, the words in bold, namely “Ronald, Mary, Kids, Tutors, and Children,” are all proper subjects. Now consider the sentences that are formed when these subjects are removed.

1. Take the dogs out for a walk.
2. Start working on your midterm project.
3. Play carefully.
4. Teach well.
5. Stand in a line.

Even after removing the subject, the sentences are still meaningful. This is due to the presence of imperative or bossy verbs, namely “take, start, play, teach, and stand.” These verbs allow the statements to still be understood as orders.

Choose the tone

The tone used in writing or reading an imperative sentence will determine whether it is a request or an order. The tone can be neutral, fairly neutral, or express intense emotions. Imperative sentences delivered in a neutral tone denote a gentle request. When spoken with a fairly neutral tone, it denotes a request. When spoken in a raised voice, it denotes an order or command.

Consider the examples given below:

• Please take out the trash. (neutral)
• Finish the project by tomorrow. (fairly neutral)
• Shut up! (expressing intense emotions)

Pick the punctuation carefully

Imperative sentences can use either exclamation points or full stops as punctuation. The choice of punctuation depends on the tone of the message it conveys. A sentence that makes a command, order, or intense emotional request is punctuated using an exclamation point. The sentences that make a request or suggestion typically end with full stops.

Examples:

Command or order

• Shut the window!
• Open your mouth!
• Stop shouting!

Request or suggestion

• Drink your soup.
• Close the door when you go out.
• Turn down the volume of the radio a bit.

Imperative sentence structure

Imperative sentences are designed around imperative verbs. These sentences almost always begin with these verbs.

Consider the examples:

• Come here.
• Go to the opera at Madison Theater.
• Climb the tree from the other side.

In all these sentences, the verbs, namely “come,” “go,” and “climb,” are the first words of the sentence. But this may not always be the case. There are some exceptions to this rule. Examples include:

• Ensure that you comprehend the reason we are doing this assignment.
• Please don’t ruin the game.
• Please do not dump your trash in the park.

Imperative sentences: Different types with examples

Based on their construction or nature, imperative sentences are broadly classified into two types, namely positive or affirmative and negative imperative sentences.

Positive or affirmative imperative sentences

Affirmative or positive imperative sentences instruct the listener or reader to do something or take action.

Examples:

• Put the new pair of socks in the top drawer of the dresser.
• Clean the dishes before you leave for school.
• Come here!

Negative imperative sentences

Negative imperative sentences instruct the listener or reader to refrain from doing something.

Examples:

• Do not open the box before Christmas.
• Do not close the account before you are back in New York.
• Do not go to the mall if you have a fever.

Conditional imperative sentences

These are forms of imperative sentences that contain conditional clauses and are complex in nature. This sentence shows a cause or a condition and its (certain, probable, or even extremely unlikely) result.

• If your temperature goes up, eat paracetamol.
• When the teacher calls your name, go stand in the front.
• When you reach home, message me.

Direct – Indirect sentences

Since the subject is absent in imperative sentences and is only inferred, the direct sentences can be converted into indirect forms by using specific verbs. These include requested, advised, ordered, instructed, suggested, allowed, forbade, asked, and warned.

Examples:

Direct: The old man said, “Please give this letter to my son.”

Indirect: The old man requested me to give the letter to his son.

Direct: The mother told the children, “Do your homework.”

Indirect: The mother instructed the children to do their homework.

Direct: The commander yelled at the corporal, “Hold your fire.”

Indirect: The commander ordered the corporal to hold his fire.

Direct: The manager said to the workers,” Do not talk.”

Indirect: The manager forbade the workers to talk.

Direct: The tutor told her, ” Do not talk unnecessarily.”

Indirect: The tutor warned her not to talk unnecessarily.

How to make imperative sentences softer or less harsh

There are some imperative sentences that might come off as downright rude to the reader. An example is the sentence, “Do not tell me what to do.” Many authors find it difficult to write imperative sentences that do not sound rude or bossy. This is especially true in a written format where the mood of the sentence cannot be expressed using body language or voice.

There are some ways to make imperative sentences softer or less harsh. The method chosen for a sentence depends on some factors, like:

• the direction or instruction given by the author
• the connection between the author and the reader
• the inferred subject of the sentence
• the situation the author is referring to in the sentence.

Adding “please”

“Please” can be added in front of imperative sentences to make them seem polite. Consider the two sentences:

1. Clean the dishes before you leave for school.
2. Please clean the dishes before you leave for school.

In this example, the second sentence sounds softer and more polite than the first sentence.

Making a question

If an author is making a request, converting the sentence to a question can make them appear softer. Consider the two sentences:

1. Please clean the dishes before you leave for school.
2. Could you please clean the dishes before you leave for school?

Though here the sentence is no longer imperative, it conveys the same meaning to the reader, which is making a request.

Exercises in imperative sentences

Consider the following imperative sentences and identify the type of sentence and the imperative verb.

1. Put the clothes in the washing machine when you come back.
2. Do not disturb the injured cat.
3. Throw the stale chicken out.
4. If the bus is canceled, call for an Uber.
5. Give the little girl a comb!
6. Do not tell me what to do.
7. Get out of my house!
8. Drink the milk when it is warm.
9. Unless you want Lily to be heartbroken, do not do this.
10. Check the spiciness before you serve the food.

Sources:

1. Merriam Webster – imperative(noun) – Definition
2. Wikipedia – Imperative mood
3. Grammarly – What Are Imperative Sentences?
4. Thesaurus.com – What Is An Imperative Sentence? Understanding The Basics