Kilo Lingo
English grammar Part of Chapter 2

CEFR A1

3 min read

Test yourself (24 questions)

The imperative in English: sit down, don't touch, let's go

By Michael McGettrickUpdated 11 October 2026

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 .

Quick check

Now use it: three quick questions on the chart above. The full practice is further down.

Pick the right one

0/3

Pick the right negative.

  1. Touch the cat.

  2. Be sad.

  3. Go out.

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).

Please makes it polite

A bare imperative can sound strong, like an order. Please makes it softer. It can go at the start or the end:

  • . (polite)
  • , . (also polite)
StrongSoft
  1. Wait.
  2. Please wait.
  3. Could you wait, please?

How you say it matters too. Sit down with a smile is friendly. Sit down! in a loud voice is an order.

StrongSofter
. , ?
. , ?

With friends and family, a short imperative is normal: Pass the salt. (at dinner, no problem). With people you do not know, add please or ask with Could you...?

Let's: an idea for you and me

Let's is short for let us. It means "I have an idea for us": you and the speaker together.

let us becomes let's
Let's + base verbWhat it says
. . ?
.
Ana. Ana

For a negative, say let's not:

  • . (we do not wait)
  • . (we stay at home)

Don't let's also exists in informal British English, but it is rare and a little old-fashioned. A short answer to Let's go! is Yes, let's! or Okay!

Where you hear it: instructions, signs and directions

The imperative is short and clear, so it is perfect for instructions.

PlaceExample
recipeCut the onion. Add the salt.
Push. Pull. Keep left.
Turn left. Go straight on.
Open your books. Listen.
app Click here. Enter your name.

These are not rude. A recipe or a sign is not an order from a person, so it usually has no please: Push. (on a door: push it to open).

Common mistakes

WrongRightWhy
Not touch!Don't touch! .
Don't to go.Don't go. .
Doesn't run!Don't run! .
Let's to go.Let's go. .
Sits down.Sit down. -s.
You sit down.Sit down, please. .

The last one needs care. You sit down is possible English, and kind in an offer: You sit down, I'll make the tea. But as a bare order it can sound angry, like You, sit down now! Leave out you and add please.

What to do next

  1. Give three orders to an imaginary class: Sit down. Open your books. Don't talk.
  2. Do the drills below. Next: the present simple, where the base verb gets its -s (she sits).

Practise: test yourself

Pick the right one

0/4

Pick the right negative.

  1. Touch the cat.

  2. Be sad.

  3. Go out.

  4. Open the window.

Spot the mistake

0/5

Each sentence has one mistake. Tap it.

Put the words in order

0/4

Put the words in order.

  1. Tell Ben not to wait.

    Your sentence is empty.

  2. Tell the class what to do.

    Your sentence is empty.

  3. An idea for you and Tom.

    Your sentence is empty.

  4. A negative idea for you and me.

    Your sentence is empty.

Sort into groups

0/6

Strong, or softer? Sort each one.

Tap a word, then the group it belongs in.

Matching

0/5

Match the sign or place to the words you see or hear there.

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Practice worksheets and infographics

Practice worksheets with answer keys built in, plus infographic and listicle formats. Open any one to view, print or save.

Infographics

  1. Key points infographic
  2. Table 1
  3. The base verb, nothing else
  4. Don't for a negative
  5. Please makes it polite
  6. Let's: an idea for you and me
  7. Where you hear it: instructions, signs and directions
  8. Common mistakes

Other formats

  1. Listicle

More grammar on this course

Frequently asked questions

What is the imperative in English?
It is the form we use to tell people what to do. It is just the base verb, with no you before it: Come in. Wait here. Close the window.
How do I make an imperative negative?
Put don't before the base verb: Don't touch. Don't be late. Not Not touch and not Don't to go.
Is the imperative rude?
Not always. Sit down, please, said with a smile, is friendly. But a bare order can sound strong. To ask for something, Could you...? is softer: Could you open the door?
What does let's mean?
Let's is short for let us. It is an idea for you and me together: Let's go. Let's eat. The negative is let's not: Let's not wait.
Where do I see the imperative?
Everywhere: recipes (Cut the onion), signs (Push, Pull), directions (Turn left), and teachers in class (Open your books).