Page 47 - BEG-5E-sample-pages

4-9 Imperative Sentences

(a) Put your phones away. In (a): Put your phones away is a command or an IMPERATIVE
SENTENCE. The sentence means “I am telling you to put your
phones away.”

(b) Sit down. An imperative sentence uses the base form of a verb (sit,
(c) Stand up. stand, be, etc.). The subject is you.
(d) Be quiet. Sit down. = (You) sit down.
(e) Stop talking.*

(f) Don’t open the window. NEGATIVE IMPERATIVE
(g) Don’t be late. don’t + the base form of a verb

(h) Please put your phones away. Please makes an imperative sound more polite.

* For an imperative with stop, use the base form of a verb + -ing.

EXERCISE 46 Looking at grammar. (Chart 4-9)
Underline the imperative verbs in the conversations.

1. Tom: What’s the matter?
Jim: I have the hiccups.
Tom: Hold your breath.
Bob: Drink some water.

Joe: Breathe into a paper bag.
Ken: Bite on a lemon.
Jim: I’m OK now, thanks.

2. Andy: Bye, Mom. I’m going over to Billy’s house.
Mom: Wait a minute. Did you clean your room?

Andy: Uh …
Mom: Do it now. Hang up your clothes. Make your bed. Put your books away. Empty
the wastepaper basket. OK?
Andy: OK.

3. Anya: I’m leaving now.

Ivan: Wait for me.
Anya: Don’t forget your keys.
Ivan: I have them.

Using the Present Progressive and the Imperative 125

3/20/21 3:32 PM
BEG 5e C01-05 v38.indd 125
BEG 5e C01-05 v38.indd 125 3/20/21 3:32 PM