Cuándo usar imperativos en inglés sin sonar grosero

Master imperative sentences in English with clear examples, practical uses, and natural tone. Learn how to give instructions, directions, warnings, and commands effectively—while sounding polite and confident.

What are imperative sentences in English used for?

Imperatives are used to tell someone what to do. They appear in everyday contexts: instructions, directions, warnings, and commands. The speaker in the lesson shows how they work and why subjects are omitted.

• Instructions: Open the window.
• Directions: Turn right.
• Warnings: Don't park here.
• Commands: Push.

How is the form built?

• No subject pronouns: never use I/you/he/she/it/we/they.
• Use the base verb: Open, Turn, Push.
• Add a complement if needed: Open the window.
• Negative imperatives with don't: Don't do that. The speaker calls this a “negative permission.”

How to sound polite with imperatives?

Tone matters. Imperatives can sound rude if said abruptly. To soften: - Add please: Open the window, please. - For directions: Turn right, please. - For warnings: Don't park here, please. - For commands: Push, please.

How to identify correct imperative forms?

The lesson includes short quizzes to spot imperatives correctly.

• Example 1: A) You can help me. B) Help me. C) You help me.
• Correct: B, Help me. It uses the base verb with no subject.

• A and C are incorrect because they include the pronoun you.

• Example 2: A) You don't do that. B) Don't do that. C) Don't that.

• Correct: B, Don't do that. Negative imperative with don't + verb.
• A is incorrect for using a subject. C is incorrect because there’s no verb.

Identification tips: - Look for a bare verb at the start: Help, Open, Turn. - Avoid subject pronouns: if you see you, it’s likely not imperative. - In negatives, expect don't + base verb: Don't fill up..., Don't park...

How to give clear instructions with imperatives?

A conversation about making coffee offers a rich set of imperative examples that guide step by step and show natural rhythm.

Which steps used imperatives in the coffee example?

• Grind the coffee.
• Open the bag.
• Take off the lid of the grinder.
• Pour the coffee into the grinder.
• Don't fill up the grinder.
• Put on the lid.
• Grind.
• Take off the lid.
• Give it a little shake.
• Prepare the container.
• Add a filter to the container.
• Open the filter.
• Add it to the container.
• Pour a little hot water on the filter.
• Pour out the water.
• Hold the filter to one side and pour out the water.
• Situate the filter back how it was.
• Add the coffee to the filter. Gently.
• Shake it so it’s even.
• Then stop.
• Let it filter, and pour again.
• Now stop.
• Let it rest a little bit.

These lines show how imperatives guide actions in order, including negatives like Don't fill up the grinder and softeners like timing words: Now, Then.

Which key vocabulary appears in the examples?

• Action verbs: open, turn, push, help, grind, pour, add, shake, hold, situate, stop, rest.
• Negative form: don't + verb → Don't park here, Don't do that, Don't fill up the grinder.
• Politeness marker: please to reduce harshness.
• Instructional complements: the window, the lid, the filter, the container, hot water.

Want to practice? Share in the comments a short list of imperative instructions to do something you know well (a recipe, a routine, a tip).