What do “switch the AC on”, “come over here”, and “hurry up” have in common? They are all imperative sentences, and used to instruct! Today we are going to make our English more direct and learn how to:
| Imperative Sentences let us: | Instruct people | Make direct requests |
| Invite | Make suggestions | Give commands |
Imperative sentences
Here are the first 10 of today’s imperative sentences. We use these types of sentences to make requests or give orders, among other things. More details about imperatives can be found just after these 10 sentences. Read and repeat them all to enhance your speaking, pronunciation, and intonation, too!
- Turn off the lights before leaving.
- Keep off the grass!
- Close the window, please.
- Submit your assignment by Friday, class.
- Add two cups of sugar to the mixture.
- Enjoy your meal!
- Please, take a seat.
- Send me the report by email.
- Watch your step. It’s slippy out there.
- Drive safely.
Related: 72 Awesome Sentences With May: How To Use Correctly
What are imperative sentences?
Imperative sentences are used to issue commands (these are known as commanding sentences), give instructions, make requests, or invite people. They typically begin with a verb, and the subject, which is often the word “you,” is usually implied rather than explicit. Their tone can range from friendly advice to authoritative commands, and they often end with a period or an exclamation point, depending on the urgency or emphasis required. For example, “Please close the door,” is a polite request, while “Close the door!” is a more forceful command.
Here are some situations where we might use them:
- Giving instructions: When telling or directing someone on how to perform a task, such as “Follow the recipe carefully for the best results.”
- Making requests: We use imperatives in everyday conversation when asking for help or seeking assistance, like “Could you please pass the salt?”
- Issuing or giving commands: In situations where obedience is expected, for example, “Evacuate the building immediately!” (There could be a fire or something like that!)
- When we invite people: Casual invitations such as “Join us for dinner tonight.”
- Offering suggestions and advice for improving a situation, i.e., “Take a deep breath and relax.”
Related: 30 + Assertive Sentences: How To Give Your Opinion Clearly
Imperative sentence examples: requests
A request is when we ask someone to do something for us. Here are 5 imperative sentence examples that feature requests:
- Tidy up the breakfast table, please.
- Respect the quiet hours in the dormitory, please.
- Check the expiration dates before you purchase that milk.
- Tidy up your room before our guests arrive.
- Submit your feedback on the survey.
Imperative sentence examples: instructions
Do you like cooking? I do! Here we will check out some instructions for baking an apple pie, using imperatives. Keep reading and repeating them all!
- First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before beginning.
- Roll out the pie crust and lay it carefully in the pie dish.
- Peel and slice the apples, then sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar.
- Lattice the top crust over the filling for a classic apple pie look. It’s not essential but will make it look nice!
- Bake the pie for 50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Imperative sentence examples: suggestions
Would you like to know how to improve your English? Many readers of Natural English Central would! Here are 5 suggestions that also use imperatives:
- Practice speaking English with a native speaker every week.
- Read English newspapers or books daily to gradually build up your word power!
- Write in a journal in English to improve your writing skills.
- Watch movies or TV shows in English with subtitles to sharpen your listening and comprehension.
- Read the Natural English Central website regularly!
Imperative sentences: commands
A command is like an order. We might be given them at school, or at work. Usually, they are very direct and forceful. Another situation where we might hear commands is when handling animals – a well-trained dog will respond to commands, for example. Here are 5 imperative commands for a dog. In practice, they will typically be just one word.
- Sit when I tell you.
- Stay inside the yard.
- Fetch the ball when thrown.
- Drop that toy on command.
- Heel while we walk together.
Imperative sentences: invitations
Here are some imperative sentences that practice making invitations. When the imperative is used, the situation is often friendly and direct. We might ask our friends out bowling or to a barbecue, for instance.
- Join us for a barbecue this Saturday at our place!
- Come to the movies with us tonight; it’ll be fun!
- Bring that new video game of yours to the party next weekend, if you can!
- Attend the charity event with me—let’s support a good cause together.
- Swing by for coffee tomorrow morning; I’ve missed our chats!
If clause imperative
Here are some “if clause” imperative examples. We use this type of structure when we want to give someone instructions or advice. The imperative comes at the end of each sentence, here.
- If you finish your work on time, take a short break.
- If it rains this afternoon, bring an umbrella.
- If the room gets too cold, turn up the heater.
- If you’re heading out, lock the front door.
- If you see a red light, stop the car immediately.
30 imperative sentences
So far we have done a large variety of imperative sentences covering suggestions, instructions, requests, commands, and invitations. Now we will bring it all together with 30 imperative sentences that cover all of these. Keep reading and repeating to become ever more comfortable with imperatives!
- Please remind me to call Mom, I always forget!
- Taste this sauce and tell me what you think.
- Study for your exams diligently, and you’ll pass!
- Complete the project by the deadline, please.
- Dress warmly; it’s cold outside!
- Feed the cat before you leave.
- Read at least one book a month, if you want a good way to improve your English vocab!
- Save part of your earnings, if at all possible.
- Explore new places when you travel.
- Hang that painting in the center of the wall.
- Listen to the new album I sent you. You won’t regret it!
- Watch this classic film; you’ll love it.
- Jog for thirty minutes daily to optimize your fitness.
- Meet me for lunch at the bistro.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until browned.
- Shop for local produce.
- Plan your week every Sunday. It’ll help you be more organized.
- Borrow the book from the library, but don’t forget to take it back!
- Kick the ball straight into the goal.
- Enjoy every moment of life.
- Turn off the TV when you’re done.
- Play the new video game with your friends.
- Choose a gift that speaks from the heart.
- Respect your parents and elders.
- Wash your hands properly. You can avoid catching bugs that way.
- Change your sweater; it’s got a stain.
- Learn about new cultures. It can expand your worldview.
- Stay healthy by eating balanced meals.
- Pack your gym clothes for tomorrow.
- Remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
Imperative sentences: FAQs
Now let’s check out some commonly asked questions that students ask when it comes to imperative sentences:
What’s a commanding sentence?
A commanding sentence gives an instruction, order, command, or request. It can be polite or forceful, depending on the context and punctuation used. Take a look at these two examples. Notice in the forceful one, an exclamation mark is used to emphasize the force.
| Polite commanding sentence | Please submit your reports by Tuesday |
| Forceful commanding sentence | Leave the room now! |
What’s a simple imperative sentence?
A simple imperative sentence issues a clear and direct command or request without any frills. It usually has an implied subject, “you,” and doesn’t need to state it explicitly. For example: “Sit down.” This sentence gives a straightforward instruction with the “you” understood. Here are a few more examples:
- Open the door.
- Stand up.
- Be quiet.
- Eat slowly.
What is the rule of imperative sentences?
The rule of imperative sentences is that they must express a command, request, or instruction and often have an implied subject of “you” that is not explicitly stated. (just like the simple imperative examples directly above this) They end with either a period or an exclamation point depending on the intensity. For example:
- Pass the salt, please.
This polite request implies that “you” are being asked to pass the salt.
How can you identify an imperative sentence?
You can identify an imperative sentence by looking for its command-like nature and the absence of an explicitly mentioned subject. It usually begins with a verb and can end in a period for a mild command or an exclamation point for urgency. For example: “Consider the consequences before acting.” This sentence is directing someone to think, without stating who it is talking about – you.
Imperative sentences: a good way to be more direct!
I hope you have enjoyed reading through today’s many imperative sentences, and have seen that we use them in all kinds of different ways! Just to recap, here are the main ways:
| Type of imperative | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Giving instructions | Telling someone how to execute a specific task. | Straighten out the papers before printing the document. |
| Making requests | Politely asking for assistance or a service. | Please pass the tomato sauce. |
| Issuing commands | Exerting authority to command an action. | Close the door right now. |
| Extending invitations | Encouraging someone to join an event or activity. | Join us for a meal tonight at 7 PM. |
| Offering suggestions and advice | Recommending a course of action for someone’s benefit. | Take the side road to avoid the heavy traffic. |
| If clause imperative | Advice or instructions using an “if” sentence | If it snows, put the car in the garage. |