Imperative Form

What are imperatives? Imperatives are used to directly tell someone to do something, sometimes quite strongly. For example, the speaker says to the listener: Eat vegetables to stay healthy. Study English harder if you want to study overseas. Get the car washed this weekend. Finish the report before you leave for the day. We used these to make rules of etiquette for the subway.

What is the sentence structure? The sentence structure of imperatives is relatively easy. Take a look at the following:     verb (plain form) | object / complement Notice that the structure simply drops the subject of the sentence. (not okay) You eat vegetables to stay healthy. (okay) Eat vegetables to stay healthy. (not okay) You study English harder if you want to study overseas. (okay) Study English harder if you want to study overseas.

Negative form Negative imperatives add do + not before the plain form of the verb. Do + not | verb (plain form) | object / complement Do not eat too much candy. Do not drive fast in the snow. Don't forget your cell phone. Don't go to bed late!

How are imperatives used? The imperative mood is used in the following situations: Giving instructions:        Log into the computer network.        Check your dictionaries. Giving orders:        Do your homework!        Eat all of your vegetables! Giving advice or suggestions:        Quit your job if you really hate it.        Study English every day if you want to be fluent. Offering something:        Have some more coffee.        Take my jacket if you're cold.

Use Imperative Form for Rules

Parallel structure In a list of rules, try to make sure all the sentences are in the same format. It would look strange and be harder to understand if sentences were in different styles. Don’t smoke. You can’t eat food on the subway. It’s not a good idea to feed the hungry students.

Parallel structure It looks much better and is easier to understand now. Don’t smoke. Don’t eat food on the subway. Don’t sleep in class. Be polite. Use earphones if you want to listen to music.

Homework Write a short editorial describing rules of etiquette for a situation you know well. Some possible situations you might write about include a public transportation system, dating, school, eating, meeting new people, traveling, or sports events, but feel free to choose your own. Your article should: Include a short (minimum 6 sentences) paragraph introducing your rules. This paragraph should have a title, topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Include an additional list of rules (at least 5) in the form of imperative sentences on how to act in the situation you have chosen. Be on A4-sized paper. Include the CE2 cover sheet (you can download it from the class web site: http://kgucollegeenglish2.wordpress.com). Also, don't forget to study for next week's quiz on the grammar and vocabulary points from Unit 4.