The imperative mood of the verb in English

Imperative inclination in the English language prompts for any action, that is, expresses a request, advice, order, etc. To better understand what is being said, in the article below, we will consider in detail several of its forms.

1. The affirmative form is identical to the form of the infinitive, only the particle to is absent. For example, the verb to drink (drink) in this case will sound like a drink (drink); To look (look) - look (see), etc.

2. The imperative mood of the negative form is formed by using the verb auxiliary do with the addition of the negation particle not. Most often, instead of the full do not put a reduction do not. For example, the phrase "do not watch this movie" will look and sound like this: do not watch this movie (with full use of negation - do not watch this movie). In addition , the verb do is placed when creating negative forms of verbs such as to have and to be. For example: do not be ill - do not hurt, or do not have anything to do with her - do not have anything to do with it.

3. The imperative mood of the verb of the affirmative form is strengthened, if before it (that is at the beginning of the sentence) put do. So, the standard come to hear me tomorrow (come to me tomorrow to listen) turns into do come hear me tomorrow (be sure to come to me tomorrow to listen).

4. To denote the motivation for action addressed to the first or third person, one should use the verb let, followed by the personal pronoun in the case of the object or the noun in the case of the general, and the infinitive, but without using the particle to.

For example: 1) let her to do this dirty work - let her do this dirty work; 2) let's drink something - let's drink something; 3) let her go nightclub - let her go to a nightclub; 4) let Michael bring the book - let Michael bring the book.

The imperative mood of the negative form is formed using do not (abbreviated do not) and sometimes without the verb do. The proposal in the first version will be built like this: do not let her go shop - let her not go to the store; In the second one: let's not wait her - let's not wait for it.

Often the verb to let is used as a semantic meaning of permission, permission to do something. The infinitive that stands after it, in this case should be consumed without the particle to. For example: I think that you will allow us to visit this exhibition. A negative sentence will have the following appearance: I can not let my son go for a walk now.

5. It should be noted that in some cases the imperative mood used to give direction may sound abruptly or rudely. In these cases, in order to soften the tone, the words "please" (please) and "let's" (let, let's use): please give me that cup - please give me this cup. To convert an indication into a request or change the tone of an utterance, use the verbs modal (could, can, should, will, would). If applied, the proposal will sound more polite, and not as an order. For example, instead of making him some coffee - prepare him coffee, you can say this: could you make him some coffee? "Could you make him some coffee?"

In some cases, in order to voice your request or instruction, you can do without an imperative mood, and instead use an introductory phrase. Here are some:

- would you mind ... + ing-form (could you ... ?; do you mind ...?);

- I was hoping you could ... + infinitive-infinitive without (I was hoping that you could ...);

- do you think you could ... + infinitive-infinitive without (can you ...?);

- I want you to ... (I want you ...);

- I'd like you to ... (I'd like you to ...).

Suggestions using these introductory phrases look like this:

- Would you mind buying some cake to me? -Could you buy me a piece of cake?

- I thought we could spend this evening together.

- Do you think you could draw this picture more good? "Could you draw this picture better?"

"I'd like you to clean my shoes."

- I want you to sing this song.

If it is necessary for the request or instruction to be more understandable, it is possible to use a word that denotes order or order. For example: firstly clean the room - first remove the room; Secondly make some food - then prepare to eat; Then be free - then be free.

Knowing these simple rules and using the examples given, it will be easy for you to further correctly formulate your requests or instructions so that they do not look like a rude order. Let your study of English be as easy as possible!