Module 12: Sentence Types and Purpose - Lesson 12.3: Imperative Sentences

Module 12: Sentence Types and Purpose - Lesson 12.3: Imperative Sentences - Giving Commands

Lesson 12.3: Imperative Sentences - Giving Commands

Welcome to Lesson 12.3! In this lesson, we will focus on Imperative Sentences. We will define imperative sentences, understand their unique structure (often verb-first with an implied subject 'you'), explore their various uses for commands, orders, instructions, requests, and advice, and differentiate between direct and polite imperatives. Mastering imperative sentences is essential for giving instructions, making requests, and expressing directives effectively in English.

Imperative Sentences Defined - Giving Directives:

Imperative Sentences are sentences that give commands, orders, instructions, advice, warnings, or requests. Their primary purpose is to tell someone to do something. They are directive sentences, aimed at influencing action. Imperative sentences are used frequently in daily instructions, requests, and commands.

Typical Structure of Imperative Sentences - Verb-First, Implied Subject 'You':

Imperative sentences have a distinct structure. They typically start with the base form of the verb. Uniquely, the subject 'you' is usually implied or understood rather than explicitly stated. The subject is assumed to be the person or people being addressed.

Basic Imperative Sentence Structure: Verb (Base Form) (+ Object/Complement/Modifiers) (Subject 'You' is implied)

Verb (Base Form): The sentence starts with the base form of the verb, which is the infinitive form without 'to' (e.g., Go, Stop, Listen, Be, Close).
Object/Complement/Modifiers (Optional): Follow the verb, completing the command or instruction. (e.g., there (adverb), that (object), careful (complement), please (modifier)).
Subject: The subject 'You' is implied. The imperative is directly addressing the listener or reader.

Punctuation of Imperative Sentences: Imperative sentences can end with a period (.), especially for milder commands, instructions, or requests. For stronger commands or to express urgency or emotion, they can end with an exclamation point (!).

Purpose of Imperative Sentences - Directing Action:

The primary purpose of imperative sentences is to direct action. They are used to:

Give Commands or Orders: Tell someone forcefully to do something. (e.g., Stop! Do as I say. Halt!)
Give Instructions: Provide guidance on how to do something. (e.g., Open the book to page 50. Mix the flour and eggs together. First, turn left, then go straight.)
Make Requests: Ask someone politely to do something. (e.g., Please close the door. Could you help me with this? Pass the salt, please.) (Note: requests often use 'please' and modal verbs for politeness, making them softer imperatives).
Give Advice: Suggest a course of action. (e.g., Be careful. Think before you speak. Don't worry so much.)
Issue Warnings: Alert someone to potential danger or negative consequences. (e.g., Watch out! Don't touch that! Be aware of the traffic.)
Offer Invitations or Suggestions: (Can sometimes be framed as imperatives in informal contexts). (e.g., Have a seat. Help yourself to the snacks. Let's go for a walk.)

Examples of Imperative Sentences (diverse purposes and structures):

Command/Order: Stop! (Verb: Stop - strong command, exclamation point).
Instruction: Turn left at the next traffic light. (Verb: Turn, Object: left, Adverbial Phrase: at the next traffic light - instruction, period).
Polite Request: Please, close the window. (Modifier: Please, Verb: close, Object: the window - polite request, comma after 'please', period).
Advice: Be patient. (Verb: Be (linking verb), Complement: patient - advice, period).
Warning: Watch out for the car! (Verb: Watch out (phrasal verb), Prepositional Phrase: for the car - warning, exclamation point for urgency).
Invitation: Come in and make yourself at home. (Verb: Come, Adverb: in, Conjunction: and, Verb phrase: make yourself at home - invitation, period).
Negative Command (using 'Do not' or 'Don't'): Do not open this box. or Don't open this box. (Negative form 'Do not/Don't' + Verb: open, Object: this box - negative command, period).
Let's Imperatives (making suggestions/invitations including oneself): Let's go to the beach. (Let's = Let us, Verb: go, Prepositional Phrase: to the beach - suggestion/invitation including speaker, period).

Variations and Nuances in Imperative Sentences:

Using 'Please' for Politeness: Adding 'please' at the beginning or end softens a command into a polite request. (e.g., Please sit down. Sit down, please.).
Using Modal Verbs for Polite Requests: Modal verbs like 'Could you...', 'Would you...', 'Can you...' can make requests more indirect and polite, although grammatically they form interrogative sentences, their function in this context is often imperative (request). (e.g., Could you close the door? Would you mind helping me? Can you pass the salt?).
Using 'Do' for Emphasis or Stronger Imperatives: In some cases, 'Do' can be used before the verb for emphasis or to make the imperative stronger or more insistent. (e.g., Do be quiet! Do sit down. Do come in!).
Negative Imperatives with 'Never': 'Never' can be used at the beginning of a negative imperative for strong prohibition. (e.g., Never