What is an imperative sentence?

Chinese imperative sentences

The function of an imperative sentence is to ask, request or order others to do or not do something.

Imperative sentences generally end with an exclamation point, but some imperative sentences have a weaker tone and can end with a period.

Imperative sentences can end with the modal particle "ba" or without the modal particle.

Imperative sentences can express commands, requests, prohibitions, dissuasion, etc.

Imperative sentences expressing commands

For example: "Keep quiet!"; "Stand up!"

The sentence pattern expressing requests is usually "Please...".

For example: "Please wait for me."

Sentence patterns expressing prohibition include: "No...", "Don't...", "Don't..." etc. .

For example: "No parking here!"

The sentence pattern that expresses dissuasion is usually "Please don't...".

For example: "Please do not eat or drink in the carriage."

[Edit this paragraph] Chinese imperative sentences expressing various meanings

Imperative sentences mean that you want the other party to do something Or not to do something, a sentence with an imperative mood.

(1) The intonation characteristics of imperative sentences

1. The pronunciation intensity is generally heavier than that of declarative sentences, which is expressed by an exclamation mark in writing.

2. Use a falling tone at the end of the sentence, and speed up the syllables in the second half of the longer sentence.

(2) Modal particles of imperative sentences

Imperative sentences mainly rely on mood to express, and sometimes also use the modal particles "ba, ah (ah, wow, na)" and other expressions. For example:

Find a stool and sit down!

Let him go!

You have to hurry up!

Everyone, come here quickly!

You have to work hard!

(3) Types of imperative sentences

Based on the pragmatic meaning and tone strength of imperative sentences, imperative sentences can be divided into four categories:

1. Expressing commands Imperative sentences

Imperative sentences expressing commands are mandatory, requiring the other party to obey, speak affirmatively, and have a serious attitude. For example:

Stop!

Stand up!

Let him in!

Go put out the fire!

2. The imperative sentence expressing a request is less eye-catching than the imperative sentence expressing a command. The tone of the imperative sentence expressing a request should be more relaxed. You can use the modal particle "bar" , ah", the subject may or may not appear.

For example:

Please give us more feedback!

Please take a seat!

It’s up to you to answer this question!

Help me!

3. Imperative sentences expressing prohibition

Imperative sentences expressing prohibition clearly indicate that the other party is prohibited from doing something, with tough words and a firm attitude, without modal particles.

For example:

Don’t move!

No nonsense!

No smoking allowed here!

Don’t go!

No one should talk casually!

4. Imperative sentences expressing dissuasion

The tone of imperative sentences expressing dissuasion is relatively gentle, and the modal particles "ba, ah" are commonly used.

For example:

Listen carefully to the teacher!

You guys, please take a break!

Everyone, please stop saying a few words!

Stop making fun of him!

English Imperative Sentence

Definition: Sentences used to express commands, requests, advice, warnings, prohibitions, etc. are called imperative sentences. Imperative sentences are most commonly used to express commands, so they are used in schools It is also often called an imperative sentence in grammar.

Imperative sentences are usually omitted because the object (i.e., the subject) is the second person. The verbs of imperative sentences are all in the present tense, and a period is used at the end of the sentence to indicate the end. Example:

Go and wash your hands.

（Go and wash your hands.——Command）

Be quiet, please.（Please be quiet. )

(Please be quiet.

——Request)

Be kind to our sister.

（Be kind to sisters.——Advice）

Watch your steps.

< p>(Walk carefully. - Warning)

Look out! Danger!

(Careful! Danger!——Strong warning, like an exclamation)

Keep off the grass.

（Don’t step on the lawn.——Forbidden)

No parking.

（No parking.——No）

Imperative sentences often express the subject "You" to make the other party sound softer. , for example:

You go and tell him, Chris. (Chris, you go and tell him.)

2. Related passwords

The imperative sentence has no subject, The subject you is often omitted;

When the verb is predicated in its original form, add don't at the beginning of the sentence to negate it;

The reading should be in a falling tone, and an exclamation point is always marked at the end of the sentence.

3. Expression form

●Affirmative structure:

1. Do type (i.e.: verb prototype (+ object) + other components). For example: Please have a seat here. Please have a seat here.

In some imperative sentences, the verb can be omitted when the meaning is clear. For example: This way, please. = Go this way, please. Please go this way.

2. Be type (ie: Be + predicative (noun or adjective) + other components). For example: Be a good boy! Be a good boy!

3. Let type (ie: Let + object + verb original form + other components). Such as: Let me help you. Let me help you.

●Negative structure:

1. Do-type and Be-type negatives are formed by adding don't at the beginning of the sentence. For example: Don't forget me! Don't forget me!

Don't be late for school! Don't be late for school!

2. There are two types of let-type negatives: " Don't + let + object + verb base form + other components" and "Let + object + not + verb base form + other components". Such as: Don't let him go. / Let him not go. Don't let him go.

3. Some words can start with no to express prohibitive imperative sentences. Such as: No smoking! No smoking! No fishing! No fishing!

Exercise:

Translate the following Chinese into English.

1. Please take care of your bag. ___________________.

2. Let’s go to school! ___________________!

3. Dear, be happy! ___________________!

4. Don’t put the books down here. ___________________.

5. Don’t let the cat in.

___________________.

Key:

1. Please look after your bag 2. Let's go to school

3. Be glad, dear 4. Don't put the book here

5. Don't let the cat come in / Let the cat not come in

Imperative sentences starting with "let"

Started by "let "The leading imperative sentence (Imperative Sentences) is a common verb sentence pattern, and its main uses are as follows:

1. Express "suggestion".

The word "let" in this sentence pattern is followed by a first-person pronoun object, such as:

(1) Let me try.

( 2) Let's do it.

(3) Let me go and look for it.

This sentence pattern is euphemistic and more polite than the direct imperative sentence. Compare (4)a and (4)b:

(4) a. Don't disturb him.

b. Let's not disturb him.

(a) is a direct command with a strong tone, which is not as gentle and pleasant as (b).

2. Indicates "indirect command" or "wishes".

The verb object in this sentence pattern is a third-person noun or pronoun, such as:

(5) Let Robert take charge of the marketing department.

( 6) Let her join our choir.

3. It means "warning", "contempt", "threat", etc.

The object in this imperative sentence is also the third person called the Lord. In addition to having a fierce tone, sometimes his words are sarcastic, such as:

(7) Let him try and he will expose his inability to work on his own.

(8) Let him try and he will expose his inability to work on his own.

(8) Let the invaders come and our armed forces will wipe them out in no time.

When using the imperative sentence of "let", you must pay attention to the following points:

1. Negation of "let" There are two sentences.

If the object is the third person, use "Don't let..." (see example (9)); if the object is the first person, use "Let...not" (see example (10)) ：

(9) Don't let this type of things happen again.

(10) It's raining now. Let's not go out until after the rain.

< p>2. "Let" only applies to the present tense and can have the passive voice (the passive voice), such as:

(11) Let the recalcitrant criminals be sent to prison.

(12) Let all the dedicated capable staff be promoted.

3. "Let" is followed by the infinitive without "to" (The infinitive without "to"). It can also be some appropriate adverbs, such as out, in, down, alone, etc.:

(13) Let the puppy out.

(14) Open the windows and let the fresh air in.

(15) The room is too sunny. Let the blinds down.

(16) Let me alone, please.

Four. When using "Let's", the speaker is included; when using "Let us", the other party is not included, such as:

(17) Let's try it, shall we?

(18) Let us do it by ourselves, will you?

From "shall we" in (17) and "will you" in (18), it is not difficult to know that the former includes obedience Man, the latter does not. Imperative sentences express requests, commands, suggestions, etc. Predicate verbs always use their base form. Usually there is no subject in the sentence, an exclamation point or period is used at the end of the sentence, and a falling intonation is used.

1Imperative sentences containing second-person subjects

Be careful! careful!

Don''t make such a noise. Don't make such a noise.

1. Affirmative imperative sentence

a. Sentence pattern: verb base form ~. (subject omitted)

Stand up. Stand up.

Be quiet, please. Please be quiet.

b. Sometimes, in order to strengthen the tone, you can add do before the verb

Do sit down.

Be sure to sit down.

Do study hard.

Be sure to study hard.

Compare

Imperative and declarative sentences Declarative sentences:

You sit down.

You sit down.

Imperative sentence:

Sit down. Sit down

(omit the subject you)

c. When expressing an imperative sentence in a polite tone, Please can be added at the beginning or end of the sentence, but if please is added at the end of the sentence, a comma "," must be added before please.

Go this way, please.

Please go this way.

d. If there is an evocation in an imperative sentence, it must be separated by a comma "," and placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Li Ming, come here.

Li Ming, come here.

Come here, Li Ming.

Come here, Li Ming.

2. Negative imperative sentence

Sentence pattern: Don''t + verb base form~

Don''t swim in the river.

Don't swim in the river.

Don''t be late. Don't be late.

Please don''t be noisy.

Please don't make any noise.

Note

When expressing prohibition, especially slogans, etc., "No + noun/gerund" can also be used to express it.

No smoking!

No smoking!

No parking!

No parking!

No entry!

No entry!

No litter!

No litter!

[Edit this paragraph] English imperative sentence pattern conversion

Rewriting of imperative and declarative sentences

1. Imperative sentence = You must... (declarative sentence)

Come here. Come here.

=You must come here.

You must come here.

Don''t do that again.

You must not do that again.

2. Please + imperative sentence = Will you (please) ~? (declarative sentence)

Please help me. Please help me.

=Will you (please) help me?

Will you (please) help me?

Will you (please) help me?

Come here on time, please. Please come here on time.

=Will you (please) come here on time?

Will you (please) come here on time?

3. Imperative sentences containing first and third person subjects

Let's say good-by here.

Let's say goodbye here.

Don''t let him do that again.

Don't let him do that again. .

1. Affirmative imperative sentence

Sentence pattern: ·Let+first person (me, us)~.

·Let+third person pronoun (accusative: him, her, it, them) or noun~.

Let''s go at once.

Let's set off right away.

Let me try again.

Let me try again.

Let Tom go there himself.

Let Tom go there himself.

Note

Let''s includes the other party, Let us does not include the other party. It is most obvious when used in rhetorical questions.

Let''s go, shall we?

How about let’s go?

Let us go, will you?

Let's go, okay?

(Solicit the other party’s opinion)

2. Negative imperative sentence

Sentence pattern: ·Let''s (us, me) + not + original form of verb ~.

·Don''t let + object of third person pronoun or noun + original form of verb.

Let''s not say anything about it.

< p>Let's say nothing about this matter.

Don''t let them play with fire.

Don't let them play with fire.

Sentence pattern conversion

The imperative sentence is sometimes equivalent to a conditional adverbial clause introduced by "if".

Imperative sentence: Use your head and you''ll find a way.

Conditional sentence: If you use your head, you''ll find a way.

< p>Note

When answering the sentence pattern of the rhetorical question "Let''s~", use Yes, let''s when affirmative. Use NO, let''s not.

< p>How to turn an imperative sentence into an anti-question sentence:

The form of an anti-question sentence after an imperative sentence

a, Let's means that the speaker makes suggestions to the other party, and the subject of the short question is expressed by we , use shall we or shan't we in questions, such as: Let's have a cup of tea, shall we (shan't we)

b, Let me or Let us means that the listener makes a request, question Use will you or won't you.

Let me have a rest, will you (won't you)

c. You can add a short question after other imperative sentences, Make the tone more polite.

For example: Have a rest, will you.

Stand up, will (won't) you.