Giving commands
We often use an imperative in commands, and we also usemust. They both sound very direct:
[in class]
Stoptalking now!
[a father to his child]
Don’tpress that button.
[a mother to a child]
Youmustwear a coat. It’s raining.
There are a number of ways of making commands sound more polite. We can addpleaseat the end of what we say, or we can use a question form to make a command sound more like a request, or we can useI’d like you to+ infinitive orI’d be grateful if you’d+ infinitive withoutto:
[a boss to an assistant]
Ask Max to sign this form and then send it off immediatelyplease, Gwyn.
Will youbring us the files on the Hanley case please, Maria?
I’d like you to bringus four coffees at eleven when we take a break in the meeting.
I’d be grateful if you didn’t tellanyone about this.
Public notices
Public notices often give direct commands usingno, do notormust:
Giving instructions
We use instructions to tell someone how to do something. We usually use imperatives. They do not sound too direct in this context:
[a cookery class]
Beatfour eggs, like this. Thenaddthe flour gradually.Don’t beatthe eggs too much though.
[instructions on how to replace a missing button]
Threadyour needle with a piece of thread about 25 cm long.Markthe spot where you want the button.Insertthe needle from the back of the fabric andbringit through …
In speaking, we often use the present simple when we are giving instructions and demonstrations, and we saylike someaning ‘like this’:
You foldthe A4 piece of paperlike so. Thenyou gluesome shapes onto this side andsprinklesome glitter on itlike so.
See also:
Imperative clauses (Be quiet!)