Imperative Sentences: How to Write an Imperative Sentence
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Aug 13, 2021 • 1 min read
Imperative sentences give a direct command to an implied second person.
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What Is an Imperative Sentence?
An imperative sentence is a sentence that expresses a direct command, request, invitations, warning, or instruction. Imperative sentences do not have a subject; instead, a directive is given to an implied second person. For example, the sentence “Wash the dinner plates” commands the implied subject to wash the dishes.
2 Types of Imperative Sentences
In English grammar, imperative sentences fall into two main categories: positive imperatives and negative imperative sentences.
- 1. Positive imperative sentences: These sentences use affirmative verbs to address the subject. For example, “Pick up some bread from the store.”
- 2. Negative imperative sentences: These sentences tell the subject to not do something. They usually begin with the verb "don't" or the negative form of a verb. For example, “Don’t forget your luggage.”
3 Elements of Imperative Sentences
The sentence structure of an imperative sentence centers around an imperative verb.
- 1. Implied second person: An imperative sentence does not contain a subject. Instead, the subject of an imperative sentence is an implied second person—“you.”
- 2. Imperative verb: An imperative sentence typically begins with an infinitive form of a verb (omitting the "to") followed by the rest of the predicate.
- 3. Punctuation: Imperative sentences typically end with a period, but the sentence can end with an exclamation mark if the request is particularly urgent.
4 Types of Sentences
Sentences can express statements, questions, commands, or exclamations.
- 1. Imperative sentence: An imperative sentence addresses an implied second person with a request, command, instruction, or invitation.
- 2. Declarative sentence: A declarative sentence is a sentence that makes a statement, provides a fact, offers an explanation, or conveys information.
- 3. Interrogative sentence: This type of sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark.
- 4. Exclamatory sentence: This sentence expresses excitement or emotion, contains a subject, and ends with an exclamation point.
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