Kilo Lingo

Ch 2 · Lesson 14

Sit down, come in, don't stop: the imperative

To tell someone what to do, use the verb alone: Wait. Come here. To say no, put don't in front: Don't stop.

The short version

The imperative is just the base verb

, Tom!

Not Doesn't run: it is always don't plus the base verb.
Why?

To tell someone what to do, start with the base verb: no you, no -s, no to. The form is the same for one person or a whole room. To say not to do something, put don't in front of the verb. It is always don't, for everyone.

The imperative tells someone what to do. It is the easiest form in English: just the base verb, with no you and no ending. Sit down. (I want you to sit.)

the base verbdon'tlet'sWhat do the colours mean?
What you wantPatternExample
verb .
+ verb !
.
+ verb .

The base verb, nothing else

Start the sentence with the base verb. That is all.

Base verbImperativeWhat it says
.
.
.
.
!
.
Four panels: a male teacher with glasses, a moustache and a tie holds his palm out beside a chair with an arrow pointing down (sit down); a closed book, an arrow, then the same book lying open with a hand on its page (open the book); a round no-running sign with a red slash (do not run); a woman with long hair and a bow holds a finger to her lips (be quiet).
  1. .
  2. .
  3. .
  4. .

Classroom orders: the base verb, nothing else. For not, put don't first.

The form is the same for one person or many:

  • , Tom. (one person)
  • , . (the whole room)

There is no -s, no -ing and no to:

Not sits: the imperative is the bare verb

A name can go at the start or the end: Tom, come here. Come here, Tom. (the same command, said to Tom).

Don't for a negative

To tell someone not to do something, put don't before the base verb.

do not becomes don't
PositiveNegative
. .
. .
. .
. .

It is always don't, for everyone:

  • , Tom! (not Doesn't run)
  • . (not Not be late)

On signs you often see the long form: Do not enter. (you cannot go in). Never makes a strong rule: Never open this door. (not one time, ever).

Going further: Please makes it polite and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

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Lesson 14 of 37 in this chapter

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