20. Imperative

You can use the imperative form to give an order, to give a warning or advice, and (if you use "please") to make a request. Use the infinitive of the verb without 'to' (the bare infinitive): "Come here!", "Sit down!",

To make a negative imperative, put "do not" or "don't" before the verb: "Don't go!", "Don't walk on the grass."

The imperative can be used for all subjects (you, he, they and we), but you can also use "let's" before the verb if you are including yourself in the imperative: "Let's stop now.", "Let's have some lunch.", The negative of "let's" is "let's not", "Let's not argue!, "Let's not tell her about it."

Orders: Adults do not usually give each other orders, unless they are in a position of authority. The intonation of an order is important: each word is stressed, and the tone falls at the end of the sentence: "Sit down now!" ('Sit', 'down' and 'now' are all stressed, and the tone falls on 'now'.) However, adults can give orders to children and to animals: "Come here!", "Sit!", "Heel!, "Fetch!"

Warnings: You can use the imperative to warn someone of danger. All the words in the warning are stressed, but the last word has a higher tone than the first word: "Watch out!" "Look out!", "Don't cross!"

Advice: When you give advice using the imperative, the words are stressed normally: "Eat an apple – it's much better for you than a biscuit!", "Don't tell him you're resigning now! Wait until Monday when he's in a better mood." , Do try to sleep well the night before, Do drink plenty of water, Do try to walk about the plane during the flight. Don't drink alcohol, Don't eat heavy meals. Don't wear restrictive clothing

Requests: You can also use the imperative to make a request, but you should use a polite word before the verb: "Please take a seat.", "Please wait here.", "Please hold the line.", "Please don't smoke here.". In written or formal speech you might see "kindly" as a polite word: "Kindly return the documents as soon as possible.", "Kindly forward this to the Sales and Marketing department.", "Kindly send me two copies of your brochure."

The subject you may be included for emphasis in negated imperatives as well ("You don't touch these!") There is also a fairly common construction where you (not necessarily emphasised) follows don't: "Don't you touch these!".