The Imperative Mood in English: Orders and Commands

In English, the imperative mood or imperative clause is used to express orders, commands, advice, suggestions, instructions. It is used to address a person or more people directly.

Rule 1: We can use the imperative to order someone to do something.

Note: Unlike in other languages, it would be very direct and, therefore, to express a request by using the imperative. In order to avoid appearing impolite, you should use a question rather than imperative to make a request in English.

Rule 2: To form the imperative in English grammar, you need to use the base or infinitive form of the verb (without to). It is is generally used without a subject.

Rule 3: We can use do + not before the verb to create a negative form of the imperative to order someone not to do something. Don't is the frequently used contraction of do + not.

Note: We also use the auxiliary verb do to form the negative imperative if the full verb is be.