OBPG unit 138 FP.

qxd

15/08/05

13:47

Page 16

Imperative

1 These are imperatives:

3 We use the imperative:

Go. Help. Come. Wait.

We use the imperative like this:
Come in! Have a cup of tea.
Turn left at the post office.
Dont touch! Its hot.
Note that sometimes the imperative is one
word, but often we give more information:
Help!
Help me!
Help me with my suitcase.
We can say please after an imperative to be
more polite:
Help me with my suitcase, please.
Hurry up, please. Were late.
Come here, please.
Listen to me, please.

to give instructions:
Turn right at the corner.
Dont forget your passport.

to give warnings:
Look out! Theres a car coming.
Be careful! That box is very heavy.

to give advice:
Have a rest. You look tired.
Take a coat. Its cold today.
Dont see that film. Its terrible!

to ask people to do things:

Come in please, and sit down.
Listen to this song. Its wonderful.
Pass the butter, please.

to make offers:
Have another orange juice.
Make yourself a cup of coffee.

to wish things:
Have a good trip!
Have a nice holiday!

2 We form the negative like this:

Dont be late.
Dont forget your books!
Dont wait for me.
We normally use the short form Dont.

Practice
A Make complete sentences by filling the gaps with phrases from the box. Use each
phrase once.
Turn left
Dont listen

Come in
Pass

Dont wait

Dont forget
Open

for me. Im not coming tonight.

an umbrella with you. Its raining.
a rest. You look tired.
at the end of the road.
I cant swim!
to take your passport.
Theres a cat in the road.
to my party, please.
your books at page 84.
the salt, please.
to that record. Its terrible.
The bus leaves at 9 oclock.
and have a glass of lemonade.
the first train in the morning.

Stop the car!

Come

Help me!
Catch

Have
Take

EE fr
FR

Gram
to g mar
om

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Dont wait
Dont be late!

o!

PAGE 16 TENSES: PRESENT

Oxford Practice Grammar Basic

PHOTOCOPIABLE Oxford University Press

OBPG unit 138 FP.qxd

15/08/05

13:48

Page 17

EE fr
FR

om

Gram
to g mar

B Steven is writing a letter to a friend. Put the verbs in the box into the gaps.
open

forget

come

be

bring

have

turn

wait

o!

make
20, Sea Parade
Brighton

Dear Paul,
and see me next weekend. Im staying in a house by the sea. Dont
() Come
(1)
to bring your swimming costume with you! It isnt difficult to find the house.
When you get to the crossroads in the town, (2)
right and drive to the end of
the road. (3)
careful because it is a dangerous road! (4)
some
warm clothes with you because it is cold in the evenings here. If I am not at home when you
arrive, dont (5)
for me. The key to the house is under the big white stone in the
garden. (6)
the front door and (7)
yourself a cup of tea in the
kitchen! (8)
a good journey!
Best wishes,
Steven

C What are these people saying? Look at the pictures and match the words in the box
to make imperatives.

Come
Have
Pass
Turn
Help
Dont
Dont forget
Listen
Look

right.
out!
me!
an orange juice.
your umbrella.
in.
to me!
the milk, please.
touch it!

Help me!

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TENSES: PRESENT PAGE 17

Oxford Practice Grammar Basic

PHOTOCOPIABLE Oxford University Press