An imperative sentence is a command. An imperative sentence tells someone to do something.
- Sit down.
- Shut the door.
- Bring me a rag.
- Be careful!
An imperative sentence always begins with a verb (an action word). The shortest imperative sentences are just one word – a verb.
- Sit.
- Stay.
- Hush.
- Stop!
Each of these one-word sentences is a command. You are commanding someone to do something. But you are not using their name. You are just giving the one-verb command.
Usually sentences have a subject and a verb, but imperative sentences do not include a subject. The subject is understood to be the word You, but the word You is not actually written or said.
- (You) Be quiet!
- (You) Shut the door.
- (You) Sit.
- (You) Stay.
An imperative sentence usually ends with a period. If you feel that the imperative sentence shows excitement, you can end with an exclamation point (!).
Remember: An imperative sentence always begins with a verb and gives a command.