What Is the Imperative Mood?
- 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
- Test Time!
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.
Why the Imperative Mood Is Important
Forming verbs in the imperative mood causes native English speakers few mistakes. That said, here are two noteworthy points related to the imperative mood.(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. (It should be "me" not "myself.")
(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!")
Key Points
- You can only pair your imperative verb with "yourself" or "yourselves."
- Help yourself.
- Talk among yourselves.
- Please email Jason or myself. (Should be "me.")
- Never use more than one exclamation mark.
You might also like...
What is mood?
What are finite verbs?
What is the indicative mood?
What is the subjunctive mood?
What is an interrogative sentence?
What is an exclamatory sentence?
What is an imperative sentence?
What is a declarative sentence?
Glossary of grammatical terms
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