The imperative in the English language prompts some action, that is, expresses a request, advice, order, etc. To better understand what we are talking about, in the article below we will consider in detail several of its forms.
1. The affirmative form is identical to the form of the infinitive, only the to particle is absent. For example, the verb to drink in this case will sound like drink; to look - look (see), etc.
2. The imperative of the negative form is formed by using the auxiliary verb do with the addition of the particle of negation not. More often than not, the abbreviation don't is used instead of the complete do not. For example, the phrase “do not watch this movie” will look and be pronounced like this: don't watch this movie (with full use of negation - do not watch this movie). In addition , the verb do is used to create negative forms of such verbs as to have and to be. For example: don't be ill — don't be sick, or don't have anything to do with her — have nothing to do with her.
3. The imperative mood of the affirmative verb is enhanced by putting do in front of it (that is, at the beginning of the sentence). Thus, the standard come to hear me tomorrow (come to listen to me tomorrow) turns into do come hear me tomorrow (be sure to come to listen to me tomorrow).
4. To indicate the impulse to action, addressed to the first or third person, you should use the verb let, followed by a personal pronoun in the object case or a noun in the general case, and the infinitive, but without using the particle to.
For example: 1) let her to do this dirty work - let her do this dirty work; 2) let's drink something - let's drink something; 3) let her go nightclub - let her go to a night club; 4) let Michael bring the book - let Michael bring the book.
The imperative of the negative form is formed using do not (abbreviated don't) and sometimes without the verb do. The proposal in the first version will be arranged in this way: don't let her go shop - let her not go to the store; in the second - like this: let's not wait her - let's not wait for her.
Often the verb to let is used as a semantic meaning meaning permission, permission to do something. The infinitive that stands after it, in this case, should be used without the to particle. For example: I think you will let us visit that exhibition - I think you will let us visit this exhibition. The negative sentence will look like this: I can't let my son go for a walk now - I cannot let my son go for a walk now.
5. It is worth paying attention to the fact that in some cases the imperative mood used to give instructions may sound harsh or rude. In these cases, in order to soften the tone, the words “please” (please) and “let's” are used: please give me that cup - please give me this cup. To convert an indication into a request or change the tone of a statement, modal verbs (could, can, should, will, would) should be used. If applied, the proposal will sound more politely, rather than an order. For example, instead of make him some coffee - make him coffee, you could say this: could you make him some coffee? (could you make him coffee?).
In some cases, in order to voice your request or order, you can do without the imperative mood, and instead use an introductory phrase. Here are some:
- would you mind ... + ing-form (could you ... ?; do you mind ...?);
- I was hoping you could ... + infinitive verb without to (I was hoping you could ...);
- do you think you could ... + infinitive verb without to (could you ...?);
- I want you to ... (I want you to ...);
- I'd like you to ... (I would like you to ...).
Suggestions using these introductory phrases look like this:
- Would you mind buying some cake to me? “Could you buy me a piece of cake?”
- I was thinking we could spend this evening together - I thought we could spend this evening together.
- Do you think you could draw this picture more good? - Could you draw this picture better ?.
- I'd like you to clean my shoes - I would like you to clean my shoes.
- I want you to sing this song - I want you to sing this song.
If it is necessary that the request or indication is more understandable, you can use a word that indicates the order or order. For example: firstly clean the room - first clean the room; secondly make some food - then prepare to eat; then be free - then be free.
Knowing these simple rules and using the above examples, it will not be difficult for you in the future to correctly formulate your requests or instructions so that they do not look like a rude order. Let your learning English be as easy as possible!