L'imperatif

L'imperatif

Let's Make Commands

L'imperatif is used for three reasons

• to give an order (un ordre)

• to give a warning (une interdiction)

• to give advice (un conseil)

Only 3 subject pronouns work with l'imperatif

• tu

• nous

• vous

ER Verbs

Forming the l'imperatif is easy.

1. Conjugate your verb (es, ons, ez)

2. Remove your subject pronoun (tu, nous, or vous)

3. If your command is in the "tu" form, drop the -s

IR/RE Verbs

Forming the l'imperatif is even easier with IR and RE verbs.

1. Conjugate your verb (IR = is, issons, issez, RE = s, ons, ez)

2. Remove your subject pronoun (tu, nous, or vous)

Irregulars: Aller, Avoir, and Être

Aller: Va, Allons, Allez

Être: Sois, Soyons, Soyez

Avoir: Aie, Ayons, Ayez

Exemples

Aller: Allez faire les devoirs! (Go do your homework!)

Être: Sois prudent! (Be careful!)

Avoir: Ayons confidence! (Let's be confident!)

Multiple Choice

Tu vas à l'école becomes . . .

• Vas à l'école!

• Va à l'école!

Multiple Choice

Nous sommes patients becomes . . .

• Soyons patients!

• Sommes patients!

Multiple Choice

Vous avez courage becomes . . .

• Avez courage!

• Ayez courage!

Making Negative Commands

To make your commands negative, just add ne...pas around your verb like normal.

Exemples

• Ne touchez pas! (Don't touch!)

• Ne mange pas! (Don't eat!)

• N'allons pas! (Let's not go!)

Verbs to Learn for Commands

Parler (to talk/speak)

Manger (to eat)

Étudier (to study)

Prendre (to take)

Finir (to finish)

Sortir (to go out)

Regarder (to watch)

Faire (to do/to make)

Jouer (to play)

Marcher (to walk)

Écouter (to listen)

Des questions?