Useful Everyday Imperative Form Expressions in English

Imperative form is when we start a sentence with a present simple verb, like "wait!" or "try it". In this case, the subject is always "you" (the person listening or reading the phrase) and it is a way of giving instructions to tell the listener/reader what to do.

This lesson will focus on common imperative form expressions that we use every day in English. You can see that each expression starts with a present simple verb and there is no subject, because the listener/reader will understand naturally that the subject is "you"

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Phrases Part 1: See the 10 phrases below and match them with the appropriate situations 1 - 10:

Take your time.

Get better soon.

Don’t worry about it.

Bear with me (a moment).

Go ahead.

Keep it in mind.

Feel free to (join us).

Keep me posted.

Think it over

Keep in touch.

Task 1: Which of the above phrases would you say if….

1. Someone felt bad about a mistake    

2. You want someone to remember something for the future  

3. You want to remain friends in the future 

4. You need someone to be patient while you do something  

5. You want someone to do something without feeling any hesitation  

6. Someone isn’t feeling well 

7. Someone feels like they have to do something quickly    

8. You and another person try to enter the elevator at the same time   

9. You want to receive updates from the person about something    

10. You want to give someone time to consider an offer/proposal   

Task 2: Respond to the following with the most appropriate phrase:

1. I’m so sorry for forgetting to call you back!

2. I’m not sure yet if I can accept your offer

3. I’m staying home today because I’m sick.

4. I’ll be done in one minute

5. Who should go first?

6. It was nice to see you again. 

7. Jennifer told me that you're going to the museum tomorrow.

8. Can you find out what’s wrong with my account please?

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Phrases Part 2: See the next 10 phrases below and match them with the appropriate situations 1 - 10:

Give it a shot / Go for it

Pardon me?

Hang in there

Take it one step at a time

Look on the bright side.

Don’t take it personally.

Hang on / Hold on (a second)

Have a seat.

Drive safely / Get home safely.

Let me check

Task 3: Which of the above phrases would you say if….

1. Someone is going to go home by car  

2. Someone is experiencing a difficult time 

3. You want to encourage someone to do something new 

4. You want to let someone know that they can sit down  

5. You want to help someone see the positive part of a negative situation 

6. You want someone to repeat something

7. You want to encourage someone to focus on the process  

8. Someone is asking for information, and you need a moment  

9. You need someone to wait for a moment  

10. Someone feels rejected or offended by something  

Task 4: Respond to the following with the most appropriate phrase:

1. I’m having difficulty with my new job

2. I’m thinking about signing up for dance lessons

3. I’ll take the highway home.

4. Nobody has accepted my invitation yet

5. We......to go to.......next......

6. Are you available next Friday?

7. I have so much to do before the trip.

8. I don’t have any free time this weekend.

9. I think your phone is ringing.

10. You have a really nice office.

Answers

Task 1: Which of the above phrases would you say if….

1. Someone felt bad about a mistake    Don't worry about it

2. You want someone to remember something for the future   Keep it in mind

3. You want to remain friends in the future  Keep in touch

4. You need someone to be patient while you do something   Bear with me (a moment)

5. You want someone to do something without feeling any hesitation  Feel free to...

6. Someone isn’t feeling well  Get better soon

7. Someone feels like they have to do something quickly    Take your time

8. You and another person try to enter the elevator at the same time   Go ahead

9. You want to receive updates from the person about something    Keep me posted

10. You want to give someone time to consider an offer/proposal    Think it over

Task 2: Respond to the following with the most appropriate phrase:

1. I’m so sorry for forgetting to call you back! Don't worry about it

2. I’m not sure yet if I can accept your offer Think it over

3. I’m staying home today because I’m sick. Get better soon

4. I’ll be done in one minute Take your time

5. Who should go first? Go ahead

6. It was nice to see you again.  Keep in touch

7. Jennifer told me that you're going to the museum tomorrow. Feel free to join us

8. Can you find out what’s wrong with my account please? Bear with me (a moment)

Task 3: Which of the above phrases would you say if….

1. Someone is going to go home by car  Drive safely / Get home safely

2. Someone is experiencing a difficult time  Hang in there

3. You want to encourage someone to do something new  Go for it / Give it a shot

4. You want to let someone know that they can sit down   Have a seat

5. You want to help someone see the positive part of a negative situation  Look on the bright side

6. You want someone to repeat something Pardon me?

7. You want to encourage someone to focus on the process   Take it one step at a time

8. Someone is asking for information, and you need a moment  Let me check

9. You need someone to wait for a moment   Hold on / Hang on (a second)

10. Someone feels rejected or offended by something   Don't take it personally

Task 4: Respond to the following with the most appropriate phrase:

1. I’m having difficulty with my new job Hang in there

2. I’m thinking about signing up for dance lessons Go for it / Give it a shot

3. I’ll take the highway home. Drive safely / Get home safely

4. Nobody has accepted my invitation yet Don't take it personally

5. We......to go to.......next...... Pardon me?

6. Are you available next Friday? Let me check (or "hold on/hang on a second")

7. I have so much to do before the trip. Take it one step at a time

8. I don’t have any free time this weekend. Look on the bright side, (you don't have to work!)

9. I think your phone is ringing. Hold on / Hang on a second

10. You have a nice office. Have a seat.