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The Forms of the Imperative Mood
1. We use
the Imperative Mood when we tell one or more persons to do something. We normally use
the Imperative for
orders,
commands,
warnings,
instructions,
invitations,
offers,
suggestions and
requests to people we know well.
Open the door.
Go to work.
2. For more
polite requests we use
please,
can / can’t / could you?, could I?, will / won’t / would you?
Could I have some water, please?
Would you help me, please?
3. The auxiliary verb
to do may also be used in affirmative sentences to make the request more emphatic.
But now, do sing again to us.
Do let’s finish the job first.
4. We use
Don’t for the negative form of the Imperative even with the verb
to be.
Don’t take photographs!
Don’t be angry.
5. To make
suggestions in the Imperative Mood we may use structures with the verb
let.
○
Let me + Infinitive without
to
is used as a kind of the Imperative
for the first person
singular
(I).
Let me help him.
Let me do it.
○
Let us (let’s) + Infinitive without
to
is used as a kind of the Imperative for the first person
plural
(we).
Let us dance!
Let’s play football!
○
Let +object + Infinitive without
to
is used as a kind of the Imperative for the third
person singular and plural
(he, she, it, they).
Let the child take this medicine.
Let him do it himself.
Let them discuss your problem.
○
Let’s not + Infinitive without
to /
Don’t let’s + Infinitive without
to
the negative form of
the Imperative with the verb let is
formed in two ways.
Oh, let’s not stop.
Oh, don’t let’s stop.
Exercise 1. Match the sentences with the pictures, then spot the speech situations.
Look out!
Don’t walk on the grass!
Let’s dance!
Give me some bread, please!
Don’t take photographs!
Could I have some water please?
Let’s play football!
Would you help me, please?
Be quite! Don’t talk!
request
order
warning
suggestion
instruction
polite request
111
1. .................. request ..................
2. ......................................................
3. ......................................................
4. ......................................................
5. ......................................................
112
6. .......................................................
7. ......................................................
8. ......................................................
9.
......................................................
Exercise 2. Read, translate and comment on
the meanings of the Imperative forms of verbs
(
orders, commands, warnings, instructions, invitations, offers, suggestions and requests) in
the following dialogues.
1.
Cindy:
We‘re leaving.
Beth:
Wait for me!
Cindy:
Hurry up! We‘ll be late.
Beth:
Okay. Okay. I‘m ready.
Let’s go.
2.
Michelle:
(Knock, knock.) May I come in?
Professor:
Certainly.
Come in.
Please have a seat.
Michelle:
Thanks.
Professor:
How can I help you?
Michelle:
I need to ask you a question about yesterday‘s lecture.
Professor:
Okay. What‘s the question?
3.
Mary:
We need to leave soon.
Ivan:
I‘m ready.
Mary:
Don’t forget your house key.
Ivan:
I have it.
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Mary:
Okay.
4.
Tom:
What‘s the matter?
Jim:
I have hiccups.
Tom:
Hold your breath.
Bob:
Drink some water.
Joe:
Breathe into a paper bag.
Ken:
Eat a piece of bread.
Jim:
It‘s okay. The hiccups are gone.
5.
Student:
Do we have any homework for tomorrow?
Teacher:
Yes.
Read pages 24 through 36, and
answer the questions on page 37,
in writing.
Student:
Is that all?
Teacher:
Yes.
6.
Yuko:
How do I get to the post office from here?
Eric:
Walk two blocks to 16th Avenue. Then
turn right on Forest Street.
Go two more blocks
to Market Street and then turn left. The post
office is halfway down the street on the right-hand side.
Yuko:
Thanks.
Exercise 3. Distinguish between commands, requests of various kinds and wishes.
Translate the sentences into Kazakh.
1. Have a lovely time.
2. Don‘t, for goodness sake, let us interrupt the singing.
3. Get back to your seat, won‘t you?
4. Will you have a look into my notes?
5. Keep calling. She may come any time.
6. May their travel be safe and happy.
7. Tell him to report to the assistant manager.
8. Have a cigarette, will you?
9. Hear him play this piece, Nellie!
10. Pray, believe me.
11. Do understand the course of events if you are a man!
12. You had better take a little time to think, darling.
13. Let them join us, too.
14. Do be quiet, Jane.
15. Let‘s not start our discussion anew. I‘ve had enough of arguing.
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