imperative verb
- noun
- /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv vɜrb/
- Specialized
:
verbo imperativo
- Teachers often use imperative verbs at the beginning of instructions, such as 'Open your books.'
Examples
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In the phrase 'Be quiet!', 'be' functions as an imperative verb.
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Please note that 'Sit' is an imperative verb in the sentence, giving a direct order.
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An imperative verb often gives a direct command.
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Please use an imperative verb in your sentence.
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In the command 'Close the door!', 'close' is an imperative verb that instructs someone to take action.
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During the lesson, the teacher used the imperative verb 'Write' to direct students to take notes.
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The phrase 'Please sit down' contains the imperative verb 'sit', emphasizing a request for action.
Synonyms
7
6.0
A verb form used to give a command or request
A verb form used to give a command or request
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'imperative' (describing command/request) with 'verb' (word class): it simply denotes a verb that expresses a command. This adjectival+noun composition is a standard, cross-linguistic grammatical label (e.g., Spanish verbe imperativo), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The term imperative verb comes from a Latin word meaning 'command'. It simply names a verb that tells someone to do something, so it is used to give a 'command' or 'request'.