The Imperative: A1 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. ___ the door, please. It's cold in here. → Close

The imperative uses the base verb with no subject and no to.

2. ___ worry — everything is under control. → Don't

A negative imperative is formed with don't plus the base verb, whoever you are speaking to.

3. ___ left at the traffic lights, then go straight on. → Turn

Directions are given in the imperative: turn, take, go, cross.

4. ___ go to the cinema this evening. → Let's

Let's plus the base verb is how English makes a suggestion including yourself.

5. Which sentence is a correct negative imperative? → Don't touch that.

Don't is the only negative imperative marker in English, and the verb after it stays bare.

6. ___ me the salt, please. → Pass

A request at the table uses the imperative softened by please.

7. ___ quiet! The baby is sleeping. → Be

The imperative of be is simply be — the only irregular verb whose imperative surprises learners.

8. ___ forget to lock the door when you leave. → Don't

Don't forget is one of the most common negative imperatives in English.

9. ___ the eggs and the flour in a large bowl. → Mix

Recipes are written entirely in the imperative: mix, add, bake, serve.

10. Which sentence gives a polite instruction? → Please sit down.

Please plus the base verb is the standard polite imperative in English.

11. ___ late for the interview, whatever happens. → Don't be

The negative imperative of be is don't be — the auxiliary is still needed.

12. ___ at the second set of lights. → Cross

Directions use the base verb with no subject.

13. ___ not have another coffee before bed. → Let's

The negative of let's is let's not, which comes before the base verb.

14. ___ your hands before dinner. → Wash

An instruction to a child, like any instruction, uses the bare imperative.

15. Which sentence is correct? → Don't run in the corridor.

After don't the verb takes its base form, with no to and no -ing.

16. ___ careful with that glass. → Be

Be careful is a fixed warning built on the imperative of be.

17. ___ me a message when you arrive. → Send

The imperative works for friendly requests as well as orders.

18. ___ hurry — we have plenty of time. → Don't

Don't hurry reassures somebody, and negative imperatives are very often used this way.

19. ___ this form and bring it to reception. → Fill in

Instructions on a form or a sign use the imperative, phrasal verbs included.

20. Which suggestion is correctly formed? → Let's meet at seven.

Let's is always followed by the base verb, never by to or -ing.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. ___ down and make yourself comfortable. → Sit

The imperative is the base verb with no subject in front of it.

2. ___ be late — the film starts at eight sharp. → Don't

The negative imperative of be still needs don't in front of it.

3. ___ right at the church and the museum is on your left. → Turn

Directions in English are given entirely in the imperative.

4. ___ have a coffee before the meeting. → Let's

Let's makes a suggestion that includes the speaker, and is followed by the base verb.

5. Please ___ off your phones during the performance. → switch

Please softens the imperative; the verb itself stays in its base form.

6. ___ quiet, please — the exam has started. → Be

The imperative of be is simply be, with nothing added.

7. ___ forget your umbrella. It's going to rain. → Don't

Don't forget is one of the commonest negative imperatives in everyday English.

8. ___ the milk to the pan and stir for two minutes. → Add

Recipe instructions are written in the imperative throughout.

9. ___ me at the station at six o'clock. → Meet

Arrangements between friends are often made with a plain imperative.

10. ___ worry about the cost — I'll pay for the tickets. → Don't

A reassurance uses the negative imperative rather than a full sentence.

11. ___ your seat belt before the bus moves off. → Fasten

Safety instructions use the imperative, which is why signs are written this way.

12. ___ not tell anybody about this yet. → Let's

The negative suggestion is let's not, followed by the base verb.

13. ___ straight on for about two hundred metres. → Go

Go straight on is the standard direction in English, in the imperative.

14. ___ afraid to ask if you don't understand something. → Don't be

The negative imperative of be needs both don't and be.

15. ___ the vegetables into small pieces. → Cut

Cooking instructions use the base verb with no subject.

16. ___ me know as soon as you hear anything. → Let

Let me know is a fixed imperative phrase used in every workplace.

17. ___ your name and address in capital letters. → Write

Instructions on a form are written in the imperative.

18. ___ push — the door opens towards you. → Don't

A negative instruction on a sign uses don't plus the base verb.

19. ___ careful on the stairs; they are very steep. → Be

Be careful is the standard English warning, built on the imperative of be.

20. ___ a seat and someone will be with you shortly. → Take

Take a seat is a polite fixed imperative used in waiting rooms.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Ask somebody politely to shut something. → Please close the window.

Ask somebody politely to shut something.

2. Warn somebody away from a freshly painted surface. → Don't touch the wet paint.

Warn somebody away from a freshly painted surface.

3. Give a driver a direction. → Turn left at the next corner.

Give a driver a direction.

4. Suggest an activity that includes you both. → Let's go for a walk.

Suggest an activity that includes you both.

5. Tell somebody how to behave in a public building. → Be quiet in the library.

Tell somebody how to behave in a public building.

6. Remind somebody about a family duty. → Don't forget to call your mother.

Remind somebody about a family duty.

7. Give two cooking instructions in one sentence. → Add the sugar and stir well.

Give two cooking instructions in one sentence.

8. Direct a stranger to a turning. → Take the second road on the right.

Direct a stranger to a turning.

9. Give a polite instruction at a reception desk. → Please fill in this form.

Give a polite instruction at a reception desk.

10. Comfort somebody who is disappointed, using the negative of be. → Don't be so hard on yourself.

Comfort somebody who is disappointed, using the negative of be.

11. Make a negative suggestion for the evening. → Let's not talk about work tonight.

Make a negative suggestion for the evening.

12. Tell somebody to stay where they are. → Wait here until I come back.

Tell somebody to stay where they are.

13. Give a colleague a deadline. → Send me the documents by Friday.

Give a colleague a deadline.

14. Write the instruction you would see on a park sign. → Don't walk on the grass.

Write the instruction you would see on a park sign.

15. Give two directions for somebody on foot. → Cross the bridge and keep going.

Give two directions for somebody on foot.

16. Warn a child about a sharp object. → Be careful with those scissors.

Warn a child about a sharp object.

17. Suggest a place to see a friend. → Let's meet outside the cinema.

Suggest a place to see a friend.

18. Give a polite instruction to somebody in a queue. → Please wait for your turn.

Give a polite instruction to somebody in a queue.

19. Write the warning heard in an airport. → Don't leave your bag unattended.

Write the warning heard in an airport.

20. Give a class an instruction at the start of a lesson. → Open your books at page twelve.

Give a class an instruction at the start of a lesson.