The Imperative — Commands, Instructions and Polite Requests — Grammar and Exercises — English 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

In English, we use the imperative to give commands, instructions, directions, and make polite requests. It is one of the most useful grammatical structures for everyday communication. This lesson is designed for 2nd Year Middle School students following the Algerian English curriculum.

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Learning Objectives

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• Form affirmative imperative sentences (commands)

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• Form negative imperative sentences (prohibitions)

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• Use the imperative for instructions, directions, and requests

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• Make polite requests with “please”

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• Understand classroom commands and signs

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Part 1: What is the Imperative?

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The imperative is the base form of the verb (without to). We use it to tell someone to do something. In Arabic, it corresponds to صيغة الأمر (if’al / افعل).

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Structure: Verb (base form) + object / complement

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Examples:

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• Open the door. (افتح الباب)

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• Sit down. (اجلس)

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• Listen to the teacher. (استمع إلى الأستاذ)

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• Read the text. (اقرأ النص)

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• Write your name. (اكتب اسمك)

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Part 2: Negative Imperative (Don’t / Do not)

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To tell someone NOT to do something, we use Don’t (or Do not) + verb.

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Structure: Don’t + verb (base form) + object / complement

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• Don’t run in the classroom. (لا تركض في القسم)

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• Don’t eat in class. (لا تأكل في القسم)

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• Don’t be late. (لا تتأخر)

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• Don’t forget your homework. (لا تنس واجبك)

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• Don’t talk during the exam. (لا تتحدث أثناء الامتحان)

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Part 3: Classroom Commands (أوامر القسم)

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These are common imperative phrases used in the classroom:

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Command	العربية
Stand up.	قف
Sit down.	اجلس
Open your book.	افتح كتابك
Close your notebook.	أغلق كراستك
Come to the board.	تعال إلى السبورة
Go back to your seat.	عد إلى مقعدك
Raise your hand.	ارفع يدك
Look at the board.	انظر إلى السبورة
Repeat after me.	كرر ورائي
Work in pairs.	اعملوا في أزواج
Be quiet, please.	كن هادئاً، من فضلك
Pay attention.	انتبه

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Part 4: Giving Instructions (إعطاء التعليمات)

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We use the imperative to give step-by-step instructions. Here is how to make a simple sandwich:

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1. Take two slices of bread.

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2. Spread butter on the bread.

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3. Add cheese and tomatoes.

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4. Put the second slice on top.

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5. Enjoy your sandwich!

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Here is how to brush your teeth:

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1. Take your toothbrush.

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2. Put some toothpaste on it.

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3. Brush your teeth for two minutes.

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4. Spit out the toothpaste.

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5. Rinse your mouth with water.

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Part 5: Giving Directions (إعطاء الاتجاهات)

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Use the imperative to give directions:

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• Go straight ahead. (اذهب مباشرة)

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• Turn left at the traffic lights. (انعطف يساراً عند الإشارة)

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• Turn right. (انعطف يميناً)

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• Cross the street. (اعبر الشارع)

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• Take the first street on your left. (خذ أول شارع على يسارك)

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• Stop at the corner. (توقف عند الزاوية)

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Part 6: Making Polite Requests (طلبات مهذبة)

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Add please to make commands more polite. Please can come at the beginning or the end of the sentence.

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• Please open the window. (من فضلك افتح النافذة)

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• Please help me with this exercise. (من فضلك ساعدني في هذا التمرين)

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• Close the door, please. (أغلق الباب من فضلك)

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• Please don’t make noise. (من فضلك لا تصدر ضجيجاً)

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For very polite requests, we use Let’s (suggestions including the speaker):

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• Let’s go to the library. (دعنا نذهب إلى المكتبة)

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• Let’s start the lesson. (دعنا نبدأ الدرس)

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Part 7: Signs and Warnings (لافتات وتحذيرات)

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Many public signs use the imperative:

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Sign	Meaning (العربية)
No smoking	ممنوع التدخين
Don’t litter	لا ترمي النفايات
Keep off the grass	لا تمش على العشب
Push / Pull	ادفع / اسحب
Do not enter	ممنوع الدخول
Turn off your phone	أطفئ هاتفك
Fasten your seatbelt	اربط حزام الأمان

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Part 8: Practice Exercises

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Exercise 1: Change these sentences into imperatives.

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1. You must open the window. → Open the window.

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2. You must do your homework. → __________________________________

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3. You should be careful. → __________________________________

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4. You must not run in the corridor. → __________________________________

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5. You should help your mother. → __________________________________

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Exercise 2: Make negative imperatives (Don’t + verb).

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1. ________ (touch) the paintings in the museum.

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2. ________ (be) rude to your classmates.

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3. ________ (play) football in the street.

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4. ________ (forget) to bring your dictionary.

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5. ________ (use) your phone during the lesson.

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Exercise 3: Complete the recipe with imperative verbs from the box.

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cut • add • mix • boil • pour • serve • peel

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1. ________ the potatoes.

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2. ________ them into small pieces.

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3. ________ the potatoes in salted water.

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4. ________ some butter and milk.

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5. ________ everything together.

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6. ________ the mixture into a bowl.

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7. ________ hot with salad.

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Exercise 4: Rewrite these commands as polite requests with “please”.

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1. Close the door. → Please close the door. or Close the door, please.

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2. Help me with my bags. → __________________________________

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3. Don’t be late. → __________________________________

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4. Pass me the salt. → __________________________________

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5. Explain the lesson again. → __________________________________

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Answer Key

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Exercise 1: 1. Open the window.   2. Do your homework.   3. Be careful.   4. Don’t run in the corridor.   5. Help your mother.

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Exercise 2: 1. Don’t touch   2. Don’t be   3. Don’t play   4. Don’t forget   5. Don’t use

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Exercise 3: 1. Peel   2. Cut   3. Boil   4. Add   5. Mix   6. Pour   7. Serve

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Exercise 4: 2. Please help me with my bags. / Help me with my bags, please.   3. Please don’t be late. / Don’t be late, please.   4. Please pass me the salt. / Pass me the salt, please.   5. Please explain the lesson again. / Explain the lesson again, please.

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Pronunciation Tips

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• Don’t → /doʊnt/ — the ‘t’ is clearly pronounced at the end

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• Let’s → /lets/ — one syllable

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• Commands often have falling intonation (↘) — the voice goes down at the end

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• Polite requests with “please” have a slightly softer tone

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Summary

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Type	Structure	Example
Affirmative	Verb (base) + complement	Open the door.
Negative	Don’t + verb (base) + complement	Don’t run.
Polite	Please + verb + complement	Please sit down.
Suggestion	Let’s + verb (base) + complement	Let’s go!

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• Daily Routines — Simple Present Tense — English 2nd Year Middle School
• Weather and Seasons — Vocabulary, Expressions, and Exercises — English 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum
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