9 Verbs, verb tenses, imperatives
9.10 The imperative
9.1 OA Some uses of the imperative to express different functions [> LEG 9.51-2]
Write:Study:
l**lStudy:
01 We don't use the imperative just for 'giving orders'. We can use it e.g. for:- offering: Have another sandwich. - prohibiting: Do not walk on the grass.
- directing: Take the next turning left. - warning: Look out! A bus is coming!
2 We can make an imperative more polite or more urgent with Do. Compare:- ordinary imperative: Help yourself!
- polite imperative: Do help yourself!
- negative imperative: Don't help yourself!
Make these imperatives more polite or more urgent.1 Have a cup of coffee.
2 Make yourself at home
Stop talking!
Hurry!
Try and ring us
Help me with this letter9.1 OB The imperative to address particular people [> LEG 9.54]
1 When we say e.g. Wait here! we might be addressing one person or several. We are really
saying 'You (singular or plural) wait here!'2 If we want to speak to someone in particular, we can:- add you (unstressed) for an instruction: You wait here for a moment. (= I want you to)
- add you (stressed) to express annoyance: ' You keep quiet!
- use you with (or without) a name: You wait here, Henry. Or: Henry, you wait here.
- add yourself/yourselves to verbs like help, enjoy, behave: Help yourself!
3 If we are talking to groups of people, we can use the imperative with:- everybody: Everybody keep quiet. Keep quiet, everybody.
- somebody/nobody: Somebody answer the phone! Nobody say a word!
- Don't.. anybody: Don't say a word, anybody! Don't anybody say a word!
Write: Write these imperatives again to address particular people. Alternatives are possible.1 Enjoy
2 Try teaching 40 noisy children every day!
3 Make the coffee today! (Meg)
4 Turn off that TV!
5 Don't turn the lights on!
6 Carry this case! (John)
7 Sit down!
8 Have a short break!
9 Don't move!
10 (John) Post these letters!
11 Don't listen to her!
12 Enjoy (children)!