Commands / Imperative Mood

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 3

Commands / Imperative Mood

In Dutch: Gebiedende wijs

aka

Telling people what to do

Agenda

• Examples
• When we use commands/imperative mood
• How to form commands
• Practice

Examples

• Be quiet.
• Clean your room.
• Take out your workbook.
• Put your phone away. 
• Do not talk.
• Don't stay out too late. 
• Do not spend all your money. 

When do we use commands?

• To tell people what to do or not do. 
• polite directions/requests. 
• When you want to be direct and clear. 

When do we use commands?

• They make your sentences shorter & ensure the actions are clear. 
• They emphasize the action over the action-owner. 

When do we use commands?

• Commands can be used for polite directions/requests OR rude demands/rebukes. In English, this difference depends on tone and context! 
• In Dutch you have words that make commands more polite (hoor, even, maar, etc). These do not exist in English. 
• If you want to be sure your command is polite, you can add "please" to the beginning or end. 

How to form commands

For all verbs except TO BE, use the base form of the verb: 

• To take --> take; Take a seat. 
• To give --> give; Give me your name. 
• To arrive --> arrive; Arrive at 3pm. 

For TO BE, use BE (the base form without conjugation): 

• To be --> be; Be nice. Be on time. Be polite. 

How to form commands

• Sometimes you will want a negative command (using NOT). 
• For these, you need your helper verb TO DO. 

DO + NOT + BASE FORM VERB + REST

• Do not talk. 
• Do not arrive late. 
• Don't be rude. 

Let's practice!

Round 1: Choose the command.

Round 2: Rewrite the questions as a command. 

Round 3: Rewrite the command as a negative.

Choose the command.

1. Can you be quiet?
2. Should we quiet down?
3. We are not talking.
4. Be silent.

Choose the command.

1. You can park here.
2. You cannot park here.
3. Do not park here.
4. She is parking the car.

Choose the command.

1. She answered the phone.
2. Will you answer the phone?
3. We cannot hear the phone.
4. Answer the phone.

Choose the command.

1. I am getting a drink.
2. Don't drink and drive.
3. Do you want a drink?
4. I am not drinking.

Let's practice!

Round 1: Choose the command.

Round 2: Rewrite the questions as a command. 

Round 3: Rewrite the command as a negative.

Will you get me a drink?

Can you answer the phone?

Will you call me after work?

Can you help me?

Let's practice!

Round 1: Choose the command.

Round 2: Rewrite the questions as a command. 

Round 3: Rewrite the command as a negative.

Listen to the news.

Ask Angela about her brother.

Use plastic bags.

Summary

• Use commands to give direct, clear directions.

• Command = base form of verb; TO BE = be