Imperative Mood 3a3x5f

Imperative Mood The imperative mood is one of three grammatical moods in the English language. As a grammatical mood, the imperative expresses modality, which is the grammaticalized expression of the subjective attitudes and opinions of the speaker including possibility, probability, necessity, obligation, permissibility, ability, desire, and contingency. In the English language, the imperative mood is a verb form that allows speakers to make direct commands or requests and grant or deny permission. The following sections explain the formation and use of imperative verbs in the English language that both native English speakers and English language learners must master. Forming Affirmative Imperatives Unlike most conjugated verbs in English, verbs in the imperative mood consist of a single word rather than a phrase of two or more words. Also unlike other English verb forms, the grammatical subject of verbs in the imperative is always the second person singular or plural personal pronoun you. The imperative form of English verbs is identical to the base form (an infinitive without the preposition to functioning as the infinitive marker) of any English verb. For example: Infinitive – Base – Affirmative Imperative to be – be – be to do – do – do to eat – eat – eat to drink – drink – drink to go – go – go to sleep – sleep – sleep to stay – stay – stay to stop – stop – stop to study – study – study to wait – wait – wait The form of the imperative that is identical to the base form of the verb is sometimes referred to as an affirmative or positive imperative. Affirmative imperatives tell someone to do something. ESL Teacher Class - 2011 Find ESL Teacher Training Programs Near You Apply to a School Now! CampusCorner.com/ESL_Teacher

Online Masters in TESOL Earn a TESOL Masters Degree Online from USC. Learn more today! mat.usc.edu/TESOL Forming Negative Imperatives Unlike affirmative imperatives, negative imperatives are periphrastic. Periphrasis is a term that means a "phrase of two or more words that perform a single grammatical function that would otherwise be expressed by the inflection of a single word." Negative imperatives tell someone to not do something. The negative imperative form of English verbs is formed by the present tense form of the verb do followed by the adverb not and then the affirmative imperative form. For example: Infinitive – Base – Negative Imperative to be – be – do not be to do – do – do not do to eat – eat – do not eat to drink – drink – do not drink to go – go – do not go to sleep – sleep – do not sleep to stay – stay – do not stay to stop – stop – do not stop to study – study – do not study to wait – wait – do not wait The do not of a negative imperative is often spoken and sometimes written as the contraction don't as in Don't be silly and Don't sleep too late. Using Imperatives Although imperative verbs are often referred to as commands, the imperative mood also occurs in sentences that express the following situations: Give commands Make requests Grant or deny permission Make offers Apologize Well-wishing For example: Be quiet!

Open the window please. Go to the movie if you want. Do not take the car out tonight. Come to my party! Excuse me. Have a good day! The imperative is a grammatical mood in English that expresses direct commands and requests. Both native English speakers and ESL students must learn to form and use the imperative mood of English verbs in order to fully use and understand verbs the English language. Sources "Commands in English." Learn American English Online. 2010. Learn American English Online. 6 Apr. 2010. Kosur, Heather Marie. "Multiple Modals in Modern English: Use, History, and Structure of Periphrastic Modal Verbs." 2 Dec. 2009. Academia. 8 Apr. 2010. http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-the-imperative-mood-of-englishverbs-in-english-grammar-a222426 Imperative sentences express an order or a request towards either your direct interlocutor or any third party person. Imperative sentences could be either in the affirmative or in negative form. A direct request or an order to your interlocutor is expressed by the sentence with the verb in the imperative mood. Affirmative form of the verb in the imperative mood for both singular and plural is the same as the base form of the verb (infinitive form): Meet! Tell! Usually the imperative sentence begins with a verb, as the subject is not mentioned:

Meet Ben! Tell Peter! The negative form of the imperative mood is formed by putting the auxiliary verb do and the not negative particle in front of the main verb. Do not write. The imperative sentences in English are divided into the following types: 1. Sentences expressing an order: Read louder. 2. Sentences expressing a ban: Don’t open the window. 3. Sentences with the verb let expressing the wish that an action be carried out by the speaker together with another person (let us) or that an action be carried out by a third person (or persons) (let him, let them): Let’s read the letter! Let him do it himself! Let them go there. You have to use the word please in a sentence if the verb in the imperative mood expresses a request, not an order: Open the window, please. Read louder, please. Give me your book, please. In conversation, a modal verb will is used for expressing a polite request in interrogative sentences. Will you do it for me? Will you help me? Will you reserve me a place on the plane to Prague?

To better the use of imperative mood in English, you can use the following situations to explain, for example: How to get to a certain location (e.g.: go straight, don’t turn to the left, take bus #5) How to conduct a certain experiment (e.g.: take some water, warm it up, add some salt) How to send a telegram, parcel (e.g.: go to the Post Office, take a form, fill it up…)