Welcome to the World of "Bossy Verbs"!

In this chapter, we are going to learn about Imperatives. Don't let the big name scare you! Imperatives are simply words we use when we want to tell someone to do something, give a warning, or share a polite request. We use them every day—like when a teacher says, "Listen carefully," or a sign says, "Don't walk on the grass."

Think of Imperatives as "Bossy Verbs" because they get straight to the point!


1. What is an Imperative?

Most English sentences start with a person or a thing (the subject), like "The boy runs." But Imperatives are special! They usually start directly with the verb. We don't need to say "you" because it is already clear who we are talking to.

The Golden Rule: Always use the base form of the verb. This means:
- No "-ing" (Not "Running!")
- No "-ed" (Not "Walked!")
- No "-s" (Not "Sits down!")
- Just the plain verb! (e.g., Run! Walk! Sit down!)

Quick Review:
Instead of: "You open the door."
We say: "Open the door."


2. Giving Instructions and Directions

We use imperatives to tell people how to do something or how to get to a place. You will see these in recipes, manuals, and maps.

Examples:
- "Turn left at the supermarket."
- "Peel the apple."
- "Wash your hands before dinner."

Top Tip for Success: When giving many instructions, use connectives like First, Next, Then, and Finally to show the order.
(Cross-reference: Learn more about these in the Connectives chapter!)


3. Making Polite Requests

Sometimes, being "bossy" can sound a bit rude. To be kind and polite, we add the "Magic Word" — Please.

How to do it:
1. Put Please at the start: "Please sit down."
2. Put Please at the end: "Sit down, please." (Don't forget the comma before please at the end!)

In Key Stage 1 (P1–P3), we also use Can or May to ask for things politely:
- "Can you help me, please?"
- "May I have a pencil?"


4. Prohibitions: Telling Someone "Stop!"

A prohibition is a rule that tells you not to do something. These are very common on signs in the park, the library, or the school corridor.

To make a prohibition, just put Don't or Do not before the verb.

Examples:
- "Don't run in the classroom!"
- "Do not feed the monkeys."
- "Don't shout."

Did you know? We use "Don't" when we are speaking or writing to friends. We use "Do not" on official signs to sound more serious.


5. Warnings and Suggestions (For P4–P6 Students)

As you move into higher primary levels, imperatives are used for more than just rules.

A. Warnings

We use these to keep people safe. They often end with an exclamation mark (!) to show urgency.
- "Look out! There is a car coming."
- "Be careful!"

B. Suggestions

When you want to do something together with your friends, use Let's (which is short for Let us).
- "Let's play football after school."
- "Let's go to the library."
- "Let's not be late." (For negative suggestions)


6. Punctuation Matters!

How you end your imperative sentence changes how it feels:

  • Full stop (.): For normal instructions or requests. (e.g., "Open your book.")
  • Exclamation mark (!): For loud commands or urgent warnings. (e.g., "Stop!")
  • Comma (,): Used before "please" at the end of a sentence. (e.g., "Close the window, please.")

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Adding "to" before the verb.
Wrong: "To eat your breakfast!"
Right: "Eat your breakfast!"

Mistake 2: Forgetting the base form.
Wrong: "Don't running!"
Right: "Don't run!"

Mistake 3: Using the past tense.
Wrong: "Opened the door!"
Right: "Open the door!"


Key Takeaways

1. Start with a verb: Imperatives usually don't have a subject (no "I", "You", or "He").
2. Keep it simple: Use the base form of the verb only.
3. Be polite: Use "Please" to turn a command into a request.
4. Use "Don't": Put "Don't" in front to tell someone to stop doing something.
5. Watch the signs: Use "Let's" for suggestions and "!" for warnings.