Basics: Imperatives - Commands and Instructions
This challenge contains 12 questions at easy difficulty covering Basics: Imperatives - Commands and Instructions. Test your knowledge with a mix of question formats!
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Complete the tour guide's frantic warning to the curious museum visitor. Select the grammatically correct phrase.
Whatever you do, ___ that shiny red button!
The correct answer is don't press.
To form a negative command or warning, we use Do not (or the contraction Don't) followed by the base form of the verb. "Not press" is missing the auxiliary verb "do", and "doesn't" is only used for third-person singular subjects in the indicative mood, not imperatives!
Select the best words to finish the college senior's ultimate survival advice for a terrified freshman.
___ the syllabus before emailing the professor with a question.
The correct answer is Always read.
When giving strong advice or rules, we often put adverbs of frequency like always or never right before the imperative (base form) verb.
The correct answers are Always rub Barnaby's belly before bedtime. and Please give him exactly three treats after his walk.
You can soften an imperative or emphasize a routine by placing words like always, never, or please right before the base verb. "Never to wake" incorrectly uses the infinitive "to wake" instead of the base verb "wake." "Always gives" incorrectly uses the third-person singular "-s" ending instead of the base verb "give."
The correct answers are Press, let's wait, and don't panic.
We use the base verb "Press" for direct instructions. "Let's" (a contraction of "let us") is used to suggest an action that includes both the speaker and the listener. "Don't" is the correct way to form a negative imperative.
Help the panicked roommate complete the emergency cooking instructions by dragging the correct words into the blanks.
For a great sandwich, always slice the bread carefully. For your own safety, please don't put the metal fork in the microwave! To finish the masterpiece, simply add a huge piece of cheese.
For a great sandwich, always slice the bread carefully.
Imperatives (commands and instructions) always use the base form of the verb, even after adverbs like "always."
For your own safety, please don't put the metal fork in the microwave!
To form a negative imperative, we use "do not" or "don't" followed by the base verb.
To finish the masterpiece, simply add a huge piece of cheese.
Once again, use the base form of the verb ("add") to give an instruction.
The correct answers are chop, don't touch, and stir.
Imperatives are used to give commands, directions, or instructions. We use the base form of the verb (like "chop" and "stir") with no subject. To make a negative command, use "do not" or "don't" before the base verb.
Help the panicked chef complete the recipe instructions before the food burns! Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.
First, ___ the garlic and onions until they are golden brown.
The correct answer is sauté.
When giving instructions (like in a recipe) or commands, we use the imperative form of the verb. The imperative is simply the base form of the verb without a subject (e.g., "sauté", "chop", "stir").
The correct answers are Chop the onions into tiny pieces. and Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
To give commands or instructions, we use the imperative mood. The imperative is formed using the base form of the verb without a subject (e.g., "Chop", "Add"). Verbs ending with "-ing" or "-s" are incorrect for direct commands.
The correct answers are stay, Do not run, and speak.
When giving advice or instructions (even silly ones!), use the imperative mood. This requires the base form of the verb ("stay", "speak") and "do not" or "don't" for negative instructions.
Drag the correct words to complete the instructions for the terrified pet sitter.
At exactly 6 AM, promptly feed His Majesty, the cat. If he meows loudly, just give him a little chin scratch. Most importantly, please do not look him directly in the eyes!
At exactly 6 AM, promptly feed His Majesty, the cat.
When giving instructions, we drop the subject (you) and use the base form of the verb (feed).
If he meows loudly, just give him a little chin scratch.
Even in a conditional sentence (If...), the instruction part uses the base form of the verb.
Most importantly, please do not look him directly in the eyes!
To tell someone NOT to do something, we use "do not" (or "don't") before the base verb. "Does not" is incorrect because the invisible subject of an imperative is always "you".
Complete the survivor's urgent note by dragging the correct verbs into the town's survival rules.
When you see a zombie, always run in the opposite direction! At night, strictly lock all the doors and windows. Whatever you do, absolutely never feed the zombies!
When you see a zombie, always run in the opposite direction!
Instructions and commands use the base form of the verb (run). There is no need to add "-s" or "-ing".
At night, strictly lock all the doors and windows.
Even with an adverb like "strictly" in front, the imperative verb stays in its base form.
Whatever you do, absolutely never feed the zombies!
Negative commands using "never" still require the base form of the verb (feed).
The correct answers are Do not feed the ostriches your jewelry. and Don't stare directly into the eyes of the lemur.
To make a negative command, we use Do not or the contraction Don't followed immediately by the base form of the verb. "Not tap" is missing the auxiliary verb "do," and "Doesn't" is only used for third-person singular subjects in the present tense, not for imperatives.
Imperative mood
The imperative mood is the verb form English uses to give commands, instructions, requests, invitations, and warnings: Sit down, Pass the salt, Don't touch that, Have a great trip. It uses the bare verb form, omits the subject (an implied you), and is negated with don't.
Imperatives are everywhere — recipes, instructions, warning signs, road directions, casual requests. The challenge isn't forming them but choosing them: a bare imperative often sounds rude in English, so polite contexts swap them for question forms (Could you…?) or please.
English Grammar Basics
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