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Imperatives

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What are they?

Verbs used to…

• Give orders/commands

• Give directions/instructions

• Make requests

• Give advice/suggestions

• Give warnings

• Invite someone

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Always use the

BASE FORM

of the verb

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Always in the

2nd person (you!)

Subject is implied

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Persons (real quick!)

•1st person = I

•2nd person = you (speaking to someone directly. Either singular or plural.)

•3rd person = groups and others (they, them, us)

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SIT DOWN!

(YOU) sit down

In the 2nd

person but we don’t say it.

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Imperatives and Modals

Not usually given with modals

Exception:

BE ABLE TO

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Imperatives and Modals

When used it is very specific

“Be able to do 100 push-ups tomorrow!”

This is not asking is you CAN do it. It is a direct order to make sure you

can do it!

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LET’S LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES OF IMPERATIVE USE

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Give Orders/Commands

”Jump into the pool!”

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Give Directions/Instructions

”Go straight on Main street. Turn right on

Maple street.”

”Add more barbeque sauce!”

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Make Requests

”Listen carefully.”

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Give Advice / Suggestions

”Try it!!”

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Give Warnings

”Don’t touch that!!”

”Don’t cross the street!!”

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Invite Someone

”Come to my house at

7:00.”

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Please and Thank you…

SIT DOWN!

•That’s an order.

•That’s not nice!

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PLEASE – Want to be nice

Modify by adding

PLEASE at the BEGINNINGFor when you really want to be nice

•Please sit down.

•Please introduce yourself.

•Please eat something.

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PLEASE - Be nice but be FIRM

Modify by adding

PLEASE at the ENDStronger but nice. Giving the order and THEN softening

•Have your tickets ready please.

•Sit down please.

•Go now please.

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LET’S – Together

Modify by adding

LET’S at the BEGINNINGTo make more of suggestion than a command

(like a should statement – like using modals)

•Let’s go to dinner.

•Let’s ride the rollercoaster

•Let’s talk about it.

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LET’S – Not with the speaker

Modify by adding

LET’s at the ENDWhen I don’t mean ME I mean YOU!

DIRECTING at the other person

•Hey guys let’s be a little quieter.

•Let’s try to be on time today.

•Let’s not go down that path.

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LET’S TEST WHAT WE’VE LEARNED

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Q1

You can put "please" with an imperative at either the beginning or end of a sentence to make it more polite.

TRUE

FALSE

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Q2

When you use "let's" in a sentence, it includes the speaker in the imperative statement.

TRUE

FALSE

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Q3

Do we usually use modals in an

imperative statement?

TRUE

FALSE

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Q4

______________ sit down and relax.

PLEASE

LET’S

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Q5

______________ both leave by 11 p.m.

because we both have to work early in

the morning.

PLEASE

LET’S

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Q6

______________ be quiet. You are

disturbing the other people in the room.

PLEASE

LET’S

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Q7

"Second person" in grammar refers to:

A. I (the speaker)

B. you (the audience)

C. he/she/they (some other people)

D. it

E. two people

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Q8

Which is more polite

A. Please introduce yourself.

B. Introduce yourself please.

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Q9

Which is strongest?

A. Take off your shirt.

B. Please take off your shirt.

C. Take off your shirt, please.

D. Let's take off our shirts.

E. We should take off our shirts.

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NOW PRACTICE!