Okay… Let’s study the following examples of instructions using the imperative form…

Sentence

You should not smoke.

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You should not smoke.

Imperative instruction

Don’t smoke here.

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You must not run!

Imperative instruction

Don’t run.

Sentence

You must not run!

Instructions are usually written using the imperative verb.

The imperative is formed by using the verb but without ‘to’ and without the words that come before the verb (nouns or pronoun) For example:

Imperative: ‘Turn left at the post office.’

Original: ‘You need to turn left at the post office’.

This type of instruction doesn’t say who has to follow it.

Here are some more examples of instructions written using the imperative:

Imperative instruction

Go home!

Sentence

You must go home!

Imperative instruction

Do your homework!

Sentence

You must do your homework.

• are written as a list.

• should never be used when writing formally - in a letter to your teacher for example.

• In instructions, they are used to tell you how to do something (e.g. ‘Cook for 5 minutes’ ‘Open the box”, etc.)

• are found everywhere (e.g. on a recipe, on the activities of a book, on an instruction manual, etc.)

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You must make your bed.

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You should make a plan.

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You must repair my car.

Imperative instruction

Sentence

You should use 300 g of magic powder