An ELT Glossary Imperative

FORM

• The base form of the verb can be used with imperative ( ie "commanding" ) force. For example: Stop doing that! /  Be quiet! /  Please go away!  / Look what youve done!

• Imperatives never have perfect aspect but may have progressive aspect – eg Be waiting there at 3pm.

• To form the negative, the "dummy operator" Do is used, followed by the negative particle not and infinitive: Do not disturb. /  Dont be stupid. /  Dont look at me like that!

• Do can also be used to add extra emphasis or force to an affirmative imperative, very often also preceded by Oh, in spoken English : Do stop doing that! / Oh, do be quiet!/ Oh, do go away!

USE

• In all the examples above, the imperative force can be seen as expressing an order (eg Be quiet! / Do not disturb) or admonition (eg Look what youve done! Dont be stupid!). It expresses the wish or attitude of the person issuing the command. 

• However, the imperative is also used to express "commands" which are for the benefit of the receiver :  Come in and take a seat.  /    Do help yourself.  / Lightly whip the cream... /  Dont worry.

        It therefore expresses functions such as:

• invitations : Come in and take a seat. /  Do help yourself
• instructions : Lightly whip the cream... 
• reassurance : Dont worry.

        etc, rather than orders or admonitions.

Related Posts by Categories