Impératif (Imperative)
The impératif is used to give commands, make requests, offer invitations, or give advice.
It exists only in the present tense form, but it can refer to actions in the immediate or near future.
Unlike most tenses, it has no explicit subject pronoun.
Mood:
The imperative mood expresses commands, instructions, or encouragements.
- Mood: Imperative (direct order, request, suggestion)
Usage:
- To give direct commands:
Ferme la porte !
(Close the door!) - To make suggestions or invitations:
Allons au cinéma !
(Let’s go to the cinema!) - To offer advice:
Mange plus de légumes !
(Eat more vegetables!) - To warn or encourage:
Fais attention !
(Be careful!)
Formation:
The imperative has forms for:
- Tu (you, singular informal)
- Nous (we, “let’s…”)
- Vous (you, plural/formal)
It is formed from the present tense without the subject pronoun.
For -er verbs, the tu form drops the final “-s” in regular verbs.
Conjugation Examples:
Parler (to speak):
| Person | Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Tu | Parle | Speak (you, singular) |
| Nous | Parlons | Let’s speak |
| Vous | Parlez | Speak (you, plural) |
Finir (to finish):
| Person | Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Tu | Finis | Finish (you, singular) |
| Nous | Finissons | Let’s finish |
| Vous | Finissez | Finish (you, plural) |
Irregular verbs:
- être → sois, soyons, soyez (be)
- avoir → aie, ayons, ayez (have)
- savoir → sache, sachons, sachez (know)
- vouloir → veuille, veuillons*, veuillez (want/please)
(*rare form in modern usage)
Negative Form:
Place ne before and pas after the verb:
- Ne parle pas ! (Don’t speak!)
- Ne soyez pas en retard ! (Don’t be late!)
Examples:
- Va à l’école ! (Go to school!)
- Prenez un café ! (Have a coffee!)
- Ne faites pas de bruit ! (Don’t make noise!)
- Soyez prudents ! (Be careful!)
Notes:
- The imperative is only used in the present tense in modern French, but may appear in fixed expressions with the future for politeness:
Vous ferez ceci demain ! (You will do this tomorrow!) – formal order. - Reflexive verbs change pronoun order:
Lève-toi ! (Get up!)
In negative form: Ne te lève pas ! (Don’t get up!)
