Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
FAQs by Writers
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Imperative Mood
What Is the Imperative Mood? (with Examples)
The imperative mood is a verb form that gives a command. For example:- Empty the bin, John. (This is a verb in the imperative mood.)
- John empties the bin. (This verb is not in the imperative mood. It is in the indicative mood.)
Table of Contents
- Forming the Imperative Mood
- Examples of Verbs in the Imperative Mood
- What Is Mood?
- Why the Imperative Mood Is Important
- Printable Test

Forming the Imperative Mood
In English, the imperative mood uses the bare infinitive form (i.e., the version without "to").Example 1:
- Infinitive form: to take
- Bare infinitive form:
totake - Verb in the imperative mood: Take a leaflet.
Example 2:
- Infinitive form: to remind
- Bare infinitive form:
toremind - Verb in the imperative mood: Next time I see you, remind me not to talk to you. (Comedian Groucho Marx)
Example 3:
- Infinitive form: to do
- Bare infinitive form:
todo - Verb in the imperative mood: If you've heard this story before, do not stop me, because I'd like to hear it again. (Groucho Marx)
Examples of Verbs in the Imperative Mood
Here are some more examples of verbs in the imperative mood (shaded):- Run!
- Get out!
- Stop the bleeding.
- I am going to cross the field. Shout when you see the bull. (I am going is the indicative mood (i.e., just a statement). However, shout is in the imperative mood.)
What Is Mood?
Mood is the form a verb takes to show how it is to be regarded (e.g., as a fact, a command, a wish, an uncertainty).There are three major moods in English:
The Indicative Mood
The indicative mood states facts or asks questions. For example:- I am painting the fence.
- Are you painting the fence?
The Imperative Mood
The imperative mood expresses a command or a request. For example:- Paint the fence!
- Please paint the fence.
The Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood shows a wish or doubt. For example:- I suggest that Mark paint the fence.
- I propose that Mark be made to paint the fence.
- If I were there, I would paint the fence.
(Point 1) Don't use "myself" with a verb in the imperative mood.
This is a common mistake, especially in work emails.- Please contact your manager or myself with any suggestions.
(Point 2) Exclamation marks are easily misinterpreted.
When writing a command, be mindful of how much force an exclamation mark adds and how that exclamation mark could be misinterpreted.- Pick me up at seven o'clock. (This is neutral.)
- Pick me up at seven o'clock! (This is forceful. Does it mean "exactly seven o'clock" or does it mean "don't forget!")
- You can only pair your imperative verb with "yourself" or "yourselves."
- Help yourself.
- Talk among yourselves.
- Please email Jason or myself.
- Never use more than one exclamation mark.
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.