Imperative sentences are command sentences, telling someone what to do. The usually lead the thought of any solidly placed paragraph. Most imperatives have no grammatical subject, instead they have a well understood subject. They feature the base form of that main verb in sentences that they are used in. The main purpose and use of these commands are to give orders, instructions, warnings, and even advice. They are often presented much more mildly in marketing offers and invitations. They can be used to create a sense of urgency and they can have a polite suggestion like emphasis. Authors need to determine the needs of their audience when writing with these intentions.
The worksheets you find here will work you through the process of rewriting sentences to create imperative sentences, base your work on some writing prompts, identifying imperative verbs from a list of words and within given readings, determining whether given sentences are declarative or not, and more. Answer sheets have been included for instructors, but please note that in some cases, student answers will vary. Fun Group Activity: What's the best-known example of using imperative sentences? The "Simon Says" game! Organize a "Simon Says" contest for your students.
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Rewrite the following sentences as imperative sentences that use "you understood" as the subject. Underline the verbs in your sentence that go with "you understood."
Imagine you have been assigned to escort a visitor from another planet. One of your jobs is to teach your guest about life on earth. Choose simple task that you want to teach your alien guest. It could be opening a door, tying your shoes, or eating a cookie. Think of some connecting words that you can use as your give your alien guest step-by-step directions.
Get to know imperative verbs by playing this game with your classmates! First, write a verb on each card. Cut out your cards. Now mingle with your classmates! With all of your cards face-down, ask your classmate to draw a card.
What are Imperative Sentences?
Imperative sentences are a versatile tool that can be used in many different situations and contexts to convey a wide range of ideas and emotions.
They are used to give commands, make requests, or express feelings. These types of sentences can be written in several different ways, depending on the tone and message you want to convey.
1. Sentence Structure
Imperative sentences usually take the base or root form of verb + subject. However, the subject is often omitted because it is understood to be "you." For example, the sentence "Pass me the salt" omits the subject "you," but we still understand that the speaker addresses their friend and asks them to pass over the salt.
However, there are other ways to structure an imperative sentence.
2. The Different Forms
- If you want to give a command with a sense of urgency, you can use the imperative form of the verb. For example, "Finish your dinner now!" This form of the verb typically has a higher tone and is more forceful.
- If you want to request someone to do something, you can use the polite form of the verb. For example, "Can you please pass me the salt?" This form is less demanding and typically has a lower tone.
- They can also be used to express a feeling of disgust or annoyance. For example: "Why don't you stop talking and let me concentrate for a minute?" This is an angry imperative sentence because the speaker is annoyed with their friend interrupting them. In this case, it's important to avoid being too aggressive or rude when writing like this. Instead, try focusing on the message you want to convey instead of how you say it - that way, people will understand and respond to your requests or commands more positively.
- Imperative sentences are also commonly used in public service announcements or advertising to persuade people to do something. For example, a commercial that urges you to "Try our new product today" would use this type of sentence. In this case, it's important for the speaker to convey a sense of urgency and excitement and for the writing itself to be clear and easy to understand.
3. Passive Voice Construction
Making the passive voice of an imperative sentence can be a great way to soften the tone and make it sound less aggressive. For example, "Can you please pass me the salt?" becomes "The salt can be passed to me by you." This makes the request sound more polite and less demanding.
Similarly, "Why don't you stop talking and let me concentrate for a minute?" becomes "I would appreciate it if you stopped talking so that I could concentrate for a minute." This makes the speaker sound more polite and respectful.
It's important to note that making the passive voice of an imperative sentence often slightly changes the sentence's meaning. For example, "Please pass me the salt" has a much different tone than "The salt should be passed to me." Therefore, it's important to consider the message you want to convey and how your language can be used when writing in this style.
Ending Note
Overall, imperative sentences are a versatile tool that can be used in many different situations and contexts to convey a wide range of ideas and emotions. Whether you are giving an order, making a request, or simply expressing your feelings, this type of language can help you communicate effectively and express yourself clearly!
As with all types of writing, it's important for us as writers to use this form of language carefully and appropriately to convey our message clearly and effectively. Whether we're ordering someone around or expressing a desire, using imperatives in the right way is essential!