Pre-A1 Starter can, imperatives and the present simple
Imperatives
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can tell someone to do or not to do something the way English does it.
When to use it
- Instructions in class: Open your books.
- Warnings and bans: Don't run in the corridor.
- Polite requests with please: Sit down, please.
- Signs, recipes and manuals all use this form.
Form
| Purpose | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Telling someone to do something | verb + … | Close the door. |
| Telling someone not to do something | Don't + verb + … | Don't touch it. |
| Being polite | … + please | Sit down, please. |
| With to be | Be + adjective | Be careful! |
Step by step
- Drop the subject — do not write You.
- Start with the base verb.
- To forbid, put Don't in front of the verb.
- Add please at the end to be polite.
Imperative or statement
| Sentence | Type |
|---|---|
| Open the door. | imperative |
| You open the door. | statement |
| Don't open the door. | negative imperative |
Examples
Open your books, please.
Don't be late tomorrow.
Be quiet in the library.
Wash your hands before dinner.
Don't forget your homework.
Turn off the light, please.
Common mistakes
You sit down. → Sit down.
Vietnamese keeps the subject, but an English imperative drops it completely.
No run in the classroom. → Don't run in the classroom.
Use Don't + verb. No only appears on short signs: No smoking.
Don't to touch the glass. → Don't touch the glass.
After Don't comes the base verb, with no to.
Memory tip
The imperative is the shortest English sentence: it starts with the verb. If you wrote You first, you wrote a statement, not a command.
Summary
- Start with the base verb, no subject.
- Negative: Don't + verb. With to be: Be + adjective.
- Add please to be polite.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.