Give instructions, orders, and directions with confidence — using the imperative form, polite softeners, and sequencing words.
What Is the Imperative?
The form we use for instructions, directions, orders, warnings, and advice
The imperative is the verb form we use to tell someone to do something (or not to do something). It is used for giving orders, instructions, directions, advice, warnings, and invitations.
The key feature of the imperative: there is no subject — you do not say "you." The subject "you" is always understood. The verb stays in its base form — no -s, -ed, or -ing added.
The verb in an imperative is ALWAYS in base form — it never changes, no matter who you are talking to. Never add -s, -ed, or "to" before or after it.
❌ Opens the door. / To open the door. / Don't touches that. → ALL WRONG.
✅ Open the door. / Don't touch that. → CORRECT.
Affirmative Imperatives
Telling someone what TO DO — base verb only, no subject
| Use | Example Sentence | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction | Turn off your computer before you leave. | Tech / workplace |
| Direction | Go straight ahead and cross the street. | Navigation |
| Advice | Take an aspirin and rest today. | Health recommendation |
| Warning | Be careful! The floor is wet. | Safety |
| Invitation | Come in and have a seat, please. | Hospitality |
| Recipe step | Add the sugar slowly and mix well. | Cooking / process |
Negative Imperatives
Telling someone what NOT TO DO — Don't + base verb
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
| Open the window. | Don't open the window. |
| Turn left here. | Don't turn left here. |
| Be late. | Don't be late. |
| Touch that button. | Don't touch that button. |
| Run in the hallway. | Don't run in the hallway. |
| Forget your keys. | Don't forget your keys. |
| Use that password. | Don't use that password. |
| Park here. | Don't park here. |
Giving Directions
Movement verbs, directional phrases, and prepositions of place
When giving directions, we use the imperative form of movement verbs. These tell people how to move from one place to another.
Use these to describe where a place is when giving directions.
"Go straight ahead on Avenida Central for two blocks. Then, turn right at the traffic light. Go past the post office and keep going until you reach the corner. The Mercado Central is right there, next to the pharmacy — you cannot miss it!"
Making Imperatives Polite — Please
Adding "please" softens an order into a polite request
A plain imperative can sound strong or even rude. Adding please makes it softer and more respectful. Please can go at the start or at the end (with a comma) of the sentence.
📌 Important: Please does NOT change the verb form. The verb always stays in base form.
At the start: Please + imperative → "Please wait outside."
At the end (with comma): Imperative + , please → "Wait outside, please."
Never: ❌ "Please to wait." / ❌ "Please waits." — please never adds "to" or changes the verb.
Let's — Including Yourself
When the instruction includes you AND the other person
Use Let's (a contraction of let us) when you want to give an instruction or make a suggestion that includes both you and the other person. A plain imperative only tells the other person what to do — Let's says "we do this together."
| Form | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Let's + base verb | Let's start the meeting. | You and I will start it together. |
| Negative | Let's not + base verb | Let's not waste time. | You and I should not waste it. |
Only the other person does the action:
Both of you do the action together:
✅ Let's start. / ✅ Let's not panic. / ✅ Let's check the connection first.
❌ "Let's to start." — NEVER use "to" after let's.
❌ "Lets not panic." — Always use the apostrophe: let's
Sequencing Words
Organizing step-by-step instructions clearly
When you explain a process (how to do something, how to get somewhere, a recipe, tech instructions), use sequencing words to make the order of steps clear. Without them, instructions can be confusing.
| Word | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First, | Step 1 — the starting action | First, turn off your computer. |
| Then, / Next, | Step 2 — the next action | Then, unplug the power cable. |
| After that, | Step 3 — following action | After that, wait 30 seconds. |
| Finally, | Last step — the conclusion | Finally, plug it back in and restart. |
First, open the login page in your browser. Then, click "Forgot my password." After that, check your email for the reset link. Finally, open the link and create a new, secure password.
Sneak Peek — Could You? / Would You?
The most polite way to make a request (a full lesson on modals comes next!)
There is an even more polite way to make requests: using the modal verbs could and would. Instead of giving a direct imperative, you turn it into a question — this makes it much softer.
📌 Notice: these are questions, not imperatives. The verb still stays in base form after the modal.
| Level | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | Imperative | Send me the file. |
| Polite | Imperative + please | Please send me the file. |
| More polite | Could you + base verb? | Could you send me the file? |
| Very polite | Would you + base verb? | Would you please send me the file? |
Typical responses: Sure! / Of course! / No problem. / I'm sorry, I can't right now.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent errors with imperatives — and how to fix them
Audio Examples — Listen & Repeat
Practice saying imperatives, directions, and polite forms out loud
Reading Passage
Read the story and identify imperatives (green) and negative imperatives (red)
Last Saturday, Valentina visited San José for the first time. She wanted to explore the city center, but she did not know the streets very well. After a few wrong turns, she decided to ask a friendly local man named Marco for help.
"Excuse me," Valentina said politely. "Could you help me? I am looking for the Mercado Central."
"Of course!" Marco said with a big smile. "It is easy! Go straight ahead on Avenida Segunda for two blocks. Do not turn left at the first corner — that is a one-way street and you will get confused. Turn right at the traffic light on Calle 6. You will see a large yellow building on your left — that is the main Post Office. Go past it and keep going until you reach the next corner. The Mercado Central is right there, next to the pharmacy. Do not worry — you cannot miss it!"
"Thank you so much!" Valentina said. "And where is the Parque Central from the market?"
"Easy! Walk back to Avenida Central — it is parallel to Avenida Segunda. Then go west for about two blocks. The park is opposite the Metropolitan Cathedral. Look for the big white towers — that is the cathedral. And please do not forget to try a churro from the vendors near the park. They are amazing!"
Valentina thanked Marco and started walking. She followed his directions carefully. First, she went straight ahead on Avenida Segunda. Then, she turned right at the traffic light. After that, she passed the yellow Post Office building. Finally, she arrived at the famous Mercado Central. She was so happy!
Inside the market, a friendly vendor noticed she looked a little overwhelmed. "Please do not be nervous," he said warmly. "This is your first time here, right? Come with me — let's walk together. I will show you the best stalls. Try the fresh fruit! And do not leave without tasting the local cheese."
It was the best Saturday Valentina ever spent in San José. She even wrote down Marco's directions in her notebook so she could share them with her friends: "Go straight. Turn right. Keep going. Don't get lost — just ask!"
Answer the questions based on the reading passage above.
Grammar Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge of imperatives — 20 questions
