Ferme la porte !
English: Close the door!
- Language
- French
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Temps et modes verbaux
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The 'impératif' in French is a verb form used to give orders, advice, instructions, or requests. It is often called the 'imperative' in English.
When to use it
Use the imperative in French to tell someone what to do, give directions, make suggestions, or give advice. It is also used for invitations.
Key forms
- Use only three forms: tu (you, singular), nous (we), and vous (you, plural or formal).
- No subject pronoun is used: just the verb.
- Example: Parle ! (Speak!), Finissons ! (Let's finish!), Attendez ! (Wait!)
Examples
Allons-y !
English: Let's go!
Écoutez bien.
English: Listen carefully.
Prends un stylo.
English: Take a pen.
Ne parle pas si fort.
English: Don't speak so loudly.
Tips
- For -er verbs, drop the 's' in the 'tu' form (e.g., Parle ! not Parles !), except when followed by 'y' or 'en'.
- The imperative does not use subject pronouns (never write 'tu', 'nous', or 'vous' before the verb).
- For negative commands, place 'ne' before the verb and 'pas' after it (e.g., Ne mange pas !).
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some verbs are irregular in the imperative, like être (Sois ! Soyons ! Soyez !), avoir (Aie ! Ayons ! Ayez !), and savoir (Sache ! Sachons ! Sachez !).
- For reflexive verbs, the pronoun comes after the verb and is linked with a hyphen (e.g., Lève-toi !).