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10.3. Imperatives.

Imperatives and polite requests

The imperative mode is used for different purposes: to give orders, instructions or to make an invitation. It can also be seen in notices and signs. The base form of the verb is used (the infinitive without to). The imperative does not usually have a subject.

Stop!

Open your book.

Have a drink.

Keep off the grass.

In polite requests do can be placed before the imperative to make it more emphatic.

Do sit down.

Do tell me.

For the negative imperative we put do not (don’t) before the verb.

Don’t worry.

Do not feed the animals.