If you’re an English learner, you already know that imperative sentences in English are used to give commands or make requests. An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that gives a command, direction, or request. It typically starts with a verb and usually has an implied subject, which is usually “you.”
Imperative sentences can be affirmative or negative, and they are often used in situations where the speaker or writer wants to give instructions or make a request directly and authoritatively.
20 Examples of Imperative Sentences in English
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Here are some of the most common imperative sentences in English that you’ll need to know:
- Come here.
- Sit down.
- Stand up.
- Listen to me.
- Be quiet.
- Speak up.
- Stop talking.
- Wait a minute.
- Go away.
- Stay here.
- Take a seat.
- Open the door.
- Close the window.
- Turn off the lights.
- Turn on the TV.
- Write your name.
- Read this book.
- Do your homework.
- Eat your vegetables.
- Brush your teeth.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these imperative sentences and explore some examples of how they’re used in everyday conversation.
1. Come here.
When you want someone to come closer to you, you can use the imperative sentence “Come here!” as an example. For instance, if you notice your friend across the room at a party, you can use this sentence to grab their attention and ask them a question.
2. Sit down.
In an appropriate situation, use this imperative sentence to request someone to sit down. To illustrate, if someone arrives late to a meeting, you could say, “Please have a seat!” indicating that they can sit and participate in the discussion.
3. Stand up.
This imperative sentence tells someone to stand up from their seat. For example, if you’re at a concert and the band starts playing your favorite song, you might say, “Stand up!” to encourage your friends to dance along.
4. Listen to me.
To get someone’s attention, you may use an imperative sentence and say “Listen to me!” For instance, during a work presentation, if some of your colleagues seem distracted, you can use this phrase to direct their attention to your message.
5. Be quiet.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to stop making noise. For example, if you’re in a library and someone is talking loudly, you might say, “Be quiet!” to remind them to respect the quiet environment.
6. Speak up.
This imperative sentence is used to ask someone to speak louder. For example, if you’re having trouble hearing someone on the phone, you might say, “Speak up!” to encourage them to raise their voice.
7. Stop talking.
If someone interrupts the speaker during a meeting, you can use an imperative sentence to remind them to wait their turn politely. An example of this would be saying, “Please hold your thoughts” or “Let’s listen to what they have to say first.”
8. Wait a minute.
If someone needs more time to complete a task, they can request a pause or delay by saying, “Wait a minute!” This can be helpful in situations where someone is in a hurry but needs to find something before leaving the house, like their keys.
9. Go away.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to leave. For example, if you’re at home and someone is bothering you, you might say, “Go away!” to clarify that you want them to leave you alone.
10. Stay here.
This imperative sentence asks someone to remain in a specific location. For example, if you’re at a party and want more drinks, you might say, “Stay here!” to let your friends know you’ll be back soon.
11. Take a seat.
If you’re asked to wait for a table at a restaurant, the host might tell you to “Take a seat!” This means you should sit down and wait for them to call you when your table is ready.
12. Open the door.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to open a door. For example, if you’re carrying a lot of groceries and you can’t open the door, you might say, “Open the door!” to ask someone for help.
13. Close the window.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to close a window. For example, if it’s raining outside and you don’t want the rain to come in, you might say, “Close the window!” to ask someone to shut it.
14. Turn off the lights.
If you want to save energy when leaving a room, you can use this imperative sentence to tell someone to turn off the lights. You can say, “Turn off the lights!” to remind yourself or someone else to switch them off.
15. Turn on the TV.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to turn on the TV. For example, if you’re settling in to watch a movie and you realize the TV is off, you might say, “Turn on the TV!” to ask someone to switch it on.
16. Write your name.
When filling out a form that requires a signature, you may use the imperative sentence “Write your name!” to prompt yourself or someone else to sign it.
17. Read this book.
This imperative sentence is used to ask someone to read a book. For example, if you’re recommending a book to a friend, you might say, “Read this book!” to encourage them to give it a try.
18. Do your homework.
If you are a teacher and notice your students falling behind, you might use an imperative sentence to remind them to complete their homework and stay on track. For instance, you could say, “Do your homework!”
19. Eat your vegetables.
Encourage healthy eating habits by using the imperative sentence “Eat your vegetables!” For instance, as a parent, you can use this phrase to motivate your child to try new foods and have a nutritious meal.
20. Brush your teeth.
This imperative sentence is used to tell someone to brush their teeth. For example, if you’re a dentist and you want to remind your patients to maintain good oral hygiene, you might say, “Brush your teeth!” to emphasize the importance of daily brushing.
final Words
Imperative sentences are important to English grammar and communication. By mastering these common phrases, you’ll be able to give commands and make requests in any situation confidently. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be speaking English like a native!
Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com. He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.
