Imperative Sentences

What the resources cover

The resources on this page explore ways imperative sentences can give commands and instructions, make requests, and offer advice. The mind map “Imperative sentences” introduces these uses and includes affirmative and negative forms. Another map, “The Imperative”, covers the base form of the verb and the understood subject “you”.

A mind map on polite requests includes examples of asking someone to do something. Other maps use examples such as “Close the door” and “Be careful!” to show different uses.

Where to start

For an overview, start with “Imperative sentences”. Look at the uses it lists, then study “The Imperative” for its points about verb form and the subject. “Sentence Order: Command or Imperative” also considers who a command addresses.

Several maps share the title “Imperatives”, but their excerpts focus on different details. One covers directions, commands and polite requests; another includes orders and instructions. Comparing their examples is a way to see how the resources present the topic.

Use maps, flashcards and the quiz

After studying a map, use the quiz for practice and return to the map to check ideas you want to study again. The page also lists a small set of flashcard decks. One includes vocabulary such as “turn right” alongside words for feelings, so it offers a different kind of material from the sentence-focused maps.

Teachers can use the maps as ready-made material when discussing commands, requests or verb forms with students.

Place the topic in its unit

Imperative Sentences is one section of the Sentence Structure and Clauses unit in English language. The maps on this page give students a place to focus on imperative forms within that unit. For a next step, explore the maps and choose an example to study.