The imperative form

1. Use the infinitive (or “BASE FORM”) to form the imperative.

Affirmative sentences

Negative sentences

Come here.

Don't come now.

Clean the bathroom.

Don't clean the living room.

Help your father.

Don't play on the computer.

NOTE: You can use the exclamation (!) only when you want to make a strict emphasis on the command, e.g. Stop! Help!

2. We use the imperative form to give orders, comma nds, instructions and suggestions to a person or a group of people.

+ Order:

Don’t eat in the classroom!

+ Command:

Bring your workbook for next class.

+ Instruction:

Walk down two blocks, and turn right in the next corner.

+Suggestions:

Visit the “Wax Museum” in London, it’s wonderful; and don’t forget to go to Trafalgar Square.

3. The imperative with “let's” is formed in the fol lowing way:

Affirmative sentences

Negative sentences

Let's ask the teacher.

Let's not ask the teacher

4. It is also used to give orders, commands, instru ctions and

suggestions only to a group of people in which the speaker is included. (It’s the imperative form of “WE” – first person of plural)

Let’s go to the cinema. = (Vamos al cine) Let’s not cook chicken again. = (No preparemos pollo de nuevo) Let’s play video games for a while. = (Juguemos video juegos un rato) Let’s not invite Charlie to the party. = (No invitemos a Charlie a la fiesta)