Imperatives

When you want to tell someone what to do — give an instruction, a direction, or a command — English uses one of its simplest forms: the imperative. No subject, no extra endings, just the base verb.

Quick shortcut: base verb, no subject. Close the door, not ❌ You close the door.

The imperative: just the base verb

To form a basic imperative, use the base form of the verb — with no subject and no to. It's usually the first word of the sentence, though words like please, don't, and let's can come before it:

• Close the door.
• Sit down.
• Listen carefully.
• Open your books.

There's no -s, even though the person you're speaking to is usually "you": ✅ Come here, not ❌ Comes here. For a basic instruction, don't add you either: ✅ Come here, not ❌ You come here (adding you is possible in English, but only for special emphasis — it's not the everyday pattern to learn first).

Negative imperatives: don't + base verb

To tell someone not to do something, add don't before the base verb:

• Don't touch that.
• Don't be late.
• Don't worry.
• Don't forget your keys.

Don't works the same way in front of every verb, including be: ✅ Don't be silly, never ❌ Not be silly.

Softening a command with "please"

An imperative on its own can sound quite direct. Adding please makes it sound more polite — it can go at the beginning or the end of the sentence:

• Please sit down. / Sit down, please.
• Please be quiet. / Be quiet, please.
• Please don't shout. / Don't shout, please.

Tone of voice matters too, but please is the easiest way to soften an instruction in writing.

Let's: suggestions that include you

When you want to suggest doing something together — including yourself, not just the other person — use let's (short for let us) before the base verb:

• Let's go.
• Let's have lunch.
• Let's watch a movie.

The usual negative form is let's not:

• Let's not argue.
• Let's not wait any longer.

Let's is different from a plain imperative: Go! is a command to someone else, but Let's go! is a suggestion that includes the speaker too.

What imperatives are used for

Imperatives cover a wide range of everyday instructions — not just strict orders:

• Directions: Turn left. Go straight ahead. Take the second street on the right.
• Instructions: Mix the eggs and sugar. Add the flour.
• Advice: Get some rest. Don't worry so much.
• Warnings: Watch out! Be careful.
• Offers and invitations: Have a seat. Help yourself.

The same short form works for all of these — context and tone tell you whether it's a command, a piece of advice, or a friendly offer.

Common mistakes

• ❌ You close the door. → ✅ Close the door. (a basic imperative doesn't add you)
• ❌ Closes the door. → ✅ Close the door. (base form, no -s)
• ❌ Not be late. → ✅ Don't be late. (negative imperatives need don't, even with be)
• ❌ Let's to go. → ✅ Let's go. (no to after let's)
• ❌ We let's go. → ✅ Let's go. (no extra subject before let's)

Quick check

Which form fits?

1. ____ the window, please. (Close / You close)
2. ____ be late for the meeting. (Not / Don't)
3. ____ go to the beach today! (Let's / We let's)
4. ____ worry — everything will be fine. (Don't / Not)

Key takeaways

• Imperatives use the base verb with no subject: Close the door.
• The negative form is don't + base verb: Don't be late.
• Please softens an imperative and can go at the start or end of the sentence.
• Let's + base verb suggests doing something together, including the speaker: Let's go.