An imperative verb is an action word that gives a command.

We use imperative verbs in

sentences in which you tell someone what to do. If you seem bossy when you read a sentence, it
often has an imperative verb in it! In this lesson, we'll look at imperative verbs and some
examples.

Characteristics

Imperative verbs command others to do something, so many people playfully call them, ''bossy
verbs.''

They come at the beginning of imperative sentences in the present, simple form - the base form
of a verb.

Imperative verbs can also be paired with the word ''don't'' with the same use of the verb. So, we
can say, ''Talk loud when you present your project,'' or ''Don't talk while someone else is
presenting.''

They can also be paired with the word, ''please.'' We can say, ''Get me some water,'' or ''Please,
get me some water.'' The word ''get'' in this sentence is still an imperative verb, even though it
doesn't start the sentence.

Examples

Let's take a look at this short list of imperative verbs:

BakeBringCleanDoMoveOpenShutTellThrowWashWrite
We use each of these verbs in the base form. For example, the word ''bake'' changes forms in the
past and future, ''baked,'' and ''will bake.'' We add an ''s'' if we talk about someone who does it in
the present, like, ''She bakes cookies every day.''

When we tell someone to bake or instruct them to do so, however, we use the base form, ''bake.''
We would never say, ''Bakes the cake,'' or, ''Baked the cake.'' Instead we say, ''Bake the cake.''