imperative

Everyday

1. (grammar) The imperative is the form of a verb used to give orders, instructions or advice, like «Sit down!» or «Mix the flour». tree →
2. Imperative means extremely important or urgent, as in «It is imperative that you arrive on time». tree →
3. An imperative is something you must do, a duty or need. tree →

In the lessons

In English grammar lessons: imperative verbs in instructions, recipes and rules («Cut the paper. Fold it in half.»); in formal speech, «it is imperative» means it must happen; phrases: imperative verb, it is imperative that.

Examples

• «Close the door» uses an imperative verb. tree →
• Recipes are full of imperatives like «stir» and «bake». tree →
• It is imperative that you wear a helmet. tree →
• Bossy verbs are imperatives. tree →
• Write instructions using imperative verbs. tree →
• Saving the forest is a moral imperative. tree →
• But he knew that he must go, for the call was imperative. tree →

Note

In grammar, the imperative has no subject: «(You) sit down». Teachers often call them «bossy verbs». Formal sense is in the stiff exam voice.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Sefer Yetzirah's author plays with the letters of the divine name HVH in its different verb forms, the tradition's way of showing that God is being itself, past, present and future. In the primary lessons: In English grammar lessons: imperative verbs in instructions, recipes and rules («Cut the paper. Fold it in half.»); in formal speech, «it is imperative» means it must happen; phrases: imperative verb, it is imperative that.

Examples

• HVI is the imperative form of the verb to he, meaning he thou; HIV is the infinitive; and VIH is future. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

In grammar, the imperative has no subject: «(You) sit down». Teachers often call them «bossy verbs». Formal sense is in the stiff exam voice.