The imperative: How and When to Use in English

Please sit down, forming a polite imperative with the infinitive to sit without to. Example: sit there and make yourself comfortable.

Go away! is how we form the imperative, using the infinitive to go without to. Example: go and boil your head!

Don't lie to me! is a negative imperative, using don't + the infinitive to lie without to. Examples: don't waste your money; don't be sad.

Don't listen to her! is a negative imperative, using don't + the infinitive to listen without to. Examples: don't speak to her; don't look at her.

We could say he doesn't listen to her, but we use don't rather than doesn't to form negative imperatives. Example: she doesn't say anything interesting.

We form negative imperatives with don't rather than not. We use not to make to be and other verbs negative. Examples: I am not your servant; they will not stay another night here.

Please sing a song for us is the correct imperative form, using just the infinitive to sing without to. Example: please say you love me.

Imperatives are addressed to you, but we don't say this pronoun, just using the verb (here sing). Example: you sing like an angel.

Imperatives are addressed to you, not they, and we don't say the pronoun when forming the imperative, anyway. Example: they can't sing in tune.

Be quiet, please is the correct imperative form, using the infinitive to be without to. Example: go home now.

We could say they are quiet about people in a library, for example, but not to form the imperative and tell them to be quiet. Example: they are very nice guests.

We form the imperative with the infinitive be, not being. We use being to say how people are now. Examples: they are being noisy; you are being silly.

Please come to visit us, Mr. Blunderbuss is how we form the imperative here, using the infinitive to come without to. Example: now make yourself at home, Mr. Blunderbuss.

We do form the imperative here using the infinitive to come, but without to. We use the to infinitive in other structures. Examples: I want to come home; she likes to dance.

We could say Mr Blunderbuss comes to visit us, but it doesn't make sense to use that form of the verb when directly inviting him. Example: he thanks us for our invitation.

 Calm down, Timmy, don't cry is how we form a negative imperative, using don't + the infinitive without to. Examples: don't be late; don't dance like that.

We would say Timmy doesn't cry to talk about him to someone else, but not to tell him directly not to cry. Example: Timmy doesn't like you.

We could say Timmy, do not cry, but we can't form a negative imperative with not on its own. We use not to form the negative of to be and other verbs. Examples: that is not a good idea; I will not do that.

Buy one, get one free! is how we form this imperative, using the infinitive to get without to. Examples: Get up now! Go to work!

We could say he/she gets one free to describe what happens, but not to encourage someone to buy and get a free item. Example: she gets the shopping for her mother.

Got is the past, not the imperative, of to get. Example: we got free tickets for the movie.