Intermediate Grammar – Imperative Sentences

Today we are going to do some more grammar. Grammar is so important when you are learning a new language because it allows you to make correct sentences and understand texts and conversation.

This is an intermediate class and can be found in Unit 74 “Driving at night”.

You can find all of this information, plus speaking exercises, writing exercises, vocabulary exercises and more in the ABA English Course.

 

Imperative sentences

Imperatives are often used to tell people what to do and what not to do. This is why we have affirmative and negative imperative sentences.

So how do we make these sentences?

Well, affirmative imperatives are formed with an infinitive without the particle “to”.

Examples:

Go away!

Tell him I want to go to the party”

Turn right at the traffic light”

Negative imperatives are constructed with “do not”, or its contraction, “don’t” and an infinitive.

Examples:

Don’t go away!”

Don’t tell him I want to go to the party”

Don’t turn right at the traffic light”

This simple structure can be used to indicate other things as well…

Other uses of imperative sentences

Imperatives are also used to give advice or information, for invitations or offers, and to express wishes for people’s welfare. Welfare is the state of being happy, healthy, or successful.

Examples:

Be careful!”

Come to the party!”

Let me help you”

Don’t run or you might hurt yourself”

Imperatives with question tags

How do we use imperatives with question tags? Well, first of all to be polite when we use imperatives, we can use the word “please” or question tags.

Examples: 

Open the window, please”  OR  “Open the window, will you?”

Take me home, please” OR  “Take me home, could you?”

With an affirmative imperative you can use any auxiliary. but after a negative imperative you must use “will”.

Example:

Don’t tell my mother, will you?”

The imperative yo make suggestions

When you make suggestions to a group which includes yourself, you can use the imperative “let us” and its contraction “let’s”.

Examples:

Let’s go to the park!”

“I’m bored, let’s play on the wii”

We can also make suggestions with the structure “why don’t…?”

Examples:

Why don’t we go to the park?”

“I’m bored, why don’t we play on the wii?”

Good job! That was a lot of grammar!

In Unit 74 “Driving at night”, you will get to know Steve and Melanie!  Melanie is giving Steve a lot of instructions, but why? By watching the ABA Film, you will practice your listening comprehension. Record your voice and compare phrases to improve your speaking and learn how to write correctly. You will also gain fluency by interpreting roles and then you will learn the grammar and new vocabulary.

Remember that you can try the ABA English course for free with our free trial to see how much English you learn in a short period of time. Don’t wait any longer to start improving your level.

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