View source for Imperative mood

{{Short description|Grammatical mood}}
{{redirect-multi|1|Let's|other uses|Lets (disambiguation){{!}}Lets}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} 
The '''imperative mood''' is a [[grammatical mood]] that forms a command or request.

The imperative mood is used to demand or require that an action be performed. It is usually found only in the present tense, second person.  They are sometimes called ''directives'', as they include a feature that encodes directive force, and another feature that encodes modality of unrealized interpretation.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ling-2015-0039/html?lang=en | doi=10.1515/ling-2015-0039 | title=When terminology matters: The imperative as a comparative concept | year=2016 | last1=Jary | first1=Mark | last2=Kissine | first2=Mikhail | journal=Linguistics | volume=54 | s2cid=147583469 | hdl=2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/226567 | hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI9913465/ | title=The structure and interpretation of imperatives: Mood and force in universal grammar | date=January 1998 | pages=1–237 | last1=Han | first1=Chung-hye }}</ref>

An example of a [[verb]] used in the imperative mood is the [[English grammar|English]] phrase "Go." Such imperatives imply a [[grammatical person|second-person]] subject (''you''), but some other languages also have first- and third-person imperatives, with the meaning of "let's (do something)" or "let them (do something)" (the forms may alternatively be called [[cohortative]] and [[jussive]]).

Imperative mood can be denoted by the [[list of glossing abbreviations|glossing abbreviation]] {{sc|'''imp'''}}. It is one of the [[irrealis mood]]s.

== Formation ==
Imperative mood is often expressed using special [[grammatical conjugation|conjugated]] verb forms. Like other [[finite verb]] forms, imperatives often inflect for [[grammatical person|person]] and [[grammatical number|number]]. Second-person imperatives (used for ordering or requesting performance directly from the person being addressed) are most common, but some languages also have imperative forms for the first and third persons (alternatively called [[cohortative]] and [[jussive]] respectively).

In [[English language|English]], the imperative is formed using the bare [[infinitive]] form of the verb (see [[English verbs]] for more details). This is usually also the same as the second-person present [[indicative]] form, except in the case of the verb ''to be'', where the imperative is ''be'' while the indicative is ''are''. (The present [[English subjunctive|subjunctive]] always has the same form as the imperative, although it is [[Negation (linguistics)|negated]] differently – the imperative is negated using ''do not'', as in "Don't touch me!"; see [[do-support|''do''-support]]. Occasionally ''do'' is not used: ''Dare not touch me!'') The imperative form is understood as being in the second person (the subject [[pronoun]] ''you'' is usually omitted, although it can be included for emphasis), with no explicit indication of singular or plural. First and third person imperatives are expressed [[periphrasis|periphrastically]], using a construction with the imperative of the verb ''let'':
* Let me (Let's) see. ([[internal monologue]] equivalent to a first person singular imperative)
* Let us (Let's) go. (equivalent to a first person plural imperative)
* Let us be heard. ([[royal we]] in an equivalent to a first person passive imperative; also constructions like "We are to be heard")
* Let him/her/it/them run. (equivalent to a third person imperative; constructions with [[English modal verbs#may|''may'']] are also used)
* Let him/her/it/them be counted. (equivalent to a third person passive imperative)

== Other languages==

Other languages such as [[Latin language|Latin]], [[French language|French]] and [[German language|German]] have a greater variety of [[inflection|inflected]] imperative forms, marked for person and number, their formation often depending on a verb's conjugation pattern. Examples can be found in the specific language sections below. In languages that make a [[T–V distinction]] ({{wikt-lang|fr|tu}} vs. {{wikt-lang|fr|vous}}, {{wikt-lang|de|du}} vs. {{wikt-lang|de|Sie}}, {{wikt-lang|pt|tu}} vs. {{wikt-lang|pt|você}}, {{wikt-lang|es|tú}} vs. {{wikt-lang|es|usted}} and {{wikt-lang|es|vos}}, etc.) the use of particular forms of the second person imperative may also be dependent on the degree of familiarity between the speaker and the addressee, as with other verb forms.

The second person singular imperative often consists of just the stem of the verb, without any ending.

For example, [[Māori language|Te Reo Māori]] has the imperative {{lang|mi|me}}, which in addition to being put in front of sentences to command (e.g. {{lang|mi|Me horoi ō ringaringa}}; "(you must) wash your hands"), is used to assert the imperative mood in sentences that would be translated as "let's (let us)" in English. An example of this is {{lang|mi|Me haere tāua}}, which translates to "let us (you and me) go", but the "us" component goes last.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Commands|url=https://kupu.maori.nz/sentences/commands|access-date=2021-11-05|website=kupu.maori.nz}}</ref>

== Syntax and negation ==
Imperative sentences sometimes use different [[syntax]] than declarative or other types of clauses. There may also be differences of syntax between affirmative and [[negation (grammar)|negative]] imperative sentences. In some cases the imperative form of the verb is itself different when negated. A distinct negative imperative form is sometimes said to be in '''prohibitive''' mood ([[list of glossing abbreviations|abbreviated]] {{sc|'''proh'''}}).

Negative imperatives tell the subject to not do something. They usually begin with the verb "don't" or the negative form of a verb. e.g., example, "Don't be like that."

Many languages, even not normally [[null-subject language]]s, omit the subject pronoun in imperative sentences, as usually occurs in English (see [[#English|below]]). Details of the syntax of imperative sentences in certain other languages, and of differences between affirmative and negative imperatives, can be found in some of the other specific language sections below.

In writing, imperative phrases and sentences may terminate in an [[exclamation mark]] (!).

== Usage ==
Imperatives are used principally for ordering, requesting or advising the listener to do (or not to do) something: "Put down the gun!", "Pass me the sauce", "Don't go too near the tiger." They are also often used for giving instructions as to how to perform a task: "Install the file, then restart your computer". They can sometimes be seen on signs giving orders or warnings "Stop", "Give way", "Do not enter".

The use of the imperative mood may be seen as impolite, inappropriate or even offensive in certain circumstances.<ref>Wierzbicka, Anna, "Cross-Cultural Pragmatics", Mouton de Gruyter, 1991. {{ISBN|3-11-012538-2}}</ref> In polite speech, orders or requests are often phrased instead as questions or statements, rather than as imperatives:
* Could you come here for a moment? (more polite than "Come here!")
* It would be great if you made us a drink. (for "Make us a drink!")
* I have to ask you to stop. (for "Stop!")

[[Politeness]] strategies (for instance, [[speech act#Indirect speech acts|indirect speech acts]]) can seem more appropriate in order not to threaten a conversational partner in their needs of self-determination and territory: the partner's ''negative face'' should not appear threatened.{{clarify |date=June 2024 |reason= 'Negative face' is not a term that people can be expected to understand. Italicising it doesn't help make it understandable, and there is no link to what 'negative face' means. The linked phrase 'indirect speech acts' is a link to an unsourced article section, and I wonder if that was written by the same person who wrote this sentence. The phrase ''should not'' is also a clear recommendation; Wikipedia should provide information, not recommendations and instructions. There is also no clear description of why this is being recommended.}}<ref>Brown, P., and S. Levinson. "Universals in language use", in E. N. Goody (ed.), ''Questions and Politeness'' (Cambridge and London, 1978, Cambridge University Press: 56-310)</ref> As well as the replacement of imperatives with other sentence types as discussed above, there also often exist methods of phrasing an imperative in a more polite manner, such as the addition of a word like ''please''; or a phrase like ''if you could''; or substituting one ''directive'' for another, as in the change from ''will'' to ''may'' e.g, "you will do that" becomes "you may / can do that".

Imperatives are also used for speech acts whose function is not primarily to make an order or request, but to give an invitation, give permission, express a wish, make an apology, et cetera:   
* Come to the party tomorrow! (invitation)
* Eat the apple if you want. (permission)
* Have a nice trip! (wish)
* Pardon me. (apology)

When written, imperative sentences are often, but not always, terminated with an [[exclamation mark]].

First person plural imperatives ([[cohortative]]s) are used mainly for suggesting an action to be performed together by the speaker and the addressee (and possibly other people): "Let's go to Barbados this year", "Let us pray". Third person imperatives ([[jussive]]s) are used to suggest or order that a third party or parties be permitted or made to do something: "Let them eat cake", "Let him be executed".

There is an additional imperative form that is used for general prohibitions, consisting of the word "no" followed by the [[gerund]] form. The best known examples are "No Smoking" and "No Parking". This form does not have a positive form; that is, "Parking" by itself has no meaning unless used as a [[noun]] when it tells that parking is permitted.

The following sentences demonstrate several different forms of the imperative mood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/imperative-mood-explained#what-is-a-mood-in-grammar|title=Imperative Mood Explained: 8 Examples of the Imperative Mood   - 2023 - MasterClass|accessdate=26 December 2023}}</ref>

* In the second person without personal pronouns: "Go to your cubicle!"
* With reflexive pronouns: "Give yourself a break."
* With a direct object: "Hit the ball."
* Referring to third-person objects of the main verb: "Okay. The test is over now. They win. Let them go back to the recovery annex. For their cake."
* As an affirmative imperative (also called positive imperative form): "Go for it!"
* As a negative imperative (also called a negative command): "Don't do that!"
* Expressing wishes: "Let's go team-name!"
* In future tense: "You will behave yourself."

==In particular languages==
For more details on imperatives in the languages listed below, and in languages that are not listed, see the articles on the grammar of the specific languages.

===Latin===
{{Further|Latin syntax#The imperative mood}}
Latin regular imperatives include:

{| class="wikitable"
! [[infinitive]]
! 2nd person singular
! 2nd person plural
|-
| {{lang|la|amāre}} (to love)
| {{lang|la|amā}}
| {{lang|la|amāte}}
|-
| {{lang|la|monēre}} (to advise/warn)
| {{lang|la|monē}}
| {{lang|la|monēte}}
|-
| {{lang|la|audīre}} (to hear)
| {{lang|la|audī}}
| {{lang|la|audīte}}
|}

The negative imperative is formed with the infinitive of the verb, preceded by the imperative of {{lang|la|nōlle}} (to not want):

{| class="wikitable"
!
! negative imperative
! positive imperative
|-
! 2nd person singular
| {{lang|la|nōlī stāre}} (don't stand)
| {{lang|la|stā}} (stand)
|-
! 2nd person plural
| {{lang|la|nōlīte stāre}}
| {{lang|la|stāte}}
|}

For third-person imperatives, the subjunctive mood is used instead.

In Latin there is a peculiar tense in the imperative, which is the future tense that is used when you want the mandate to be fulfilled in the future. This tense is used mainly in laws, wills, precepts, etc. However, it is conjugated only with the third and second person singular and plural which carries as a [[gramme]] or ending {{lang|la|-tō}} for the second and third person singular, {{lang|la|-tōte}} for the second person plural and {{lang|la|-ntō}} for the third person plural. On the other hand, in other languages of the world there is a distinctive imperative, which also has a future value, but with a previous meaning and this is the so-called [[past imperative]] that appears in the French and Greek languages as a point of reference. See [[Latin conjugation]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Example verb conjugations in the imperative of future tense
! colspan="2" |
! {{wikt-lang|la|amare}}
! {{wikt-lang|la|delere}}
! {{wikt-lang|la|legere}}
! {{wikt-lang|la|audire}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | singular
! 2nd person
| {{lang|la|amatō}}
| {{lang|la|delētō}}
| {{lang|la|legītō}}
| {{lang|la|audītō}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{lang|la|amatō}}
| {{lang|la|delētō}}
| {{lang|la|legītō}}
| {{lang|la|audītō}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | plural
! 2nd person
| {{lang|la|amātōte}}
| {{lang|la|delētōte}}
| {{lang|la|legītōte}}
| {{lang|la|audītōte}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{lang|la|amantō}}
| {{lang|la|delentō}}
| {{lang|la|leguntō}}
| {{lang|la|audiuntō}}
|}

Sentence examples of the future imperative:

* {{lang|la|'''Facito''' voluntatem patris mei.}} ('''You will do''' my father's will.)
* {{lang|la|'''Numquam iuranto''' in falso.}} ('''They will not swear''' falsely.)
* {{lang|la|'''Ne occidito''' fratrem tuum.}} ('''You will not kill''' your brother.)
* {{lang|la|'''Facito''' quae dico vobis.}} ('''You will do''' what I tell you.)
* {{lang|la|'''Auditote''' quae dico vobis.}} ('''You will listen''' to what I say.)

===Germanic languages===

==== English ====
English usually omits the subject pronoun in imperative sentences:
*You work hard. (indicative)
*Work hard! (imperative; subject pronoun ''you'' omitted)
However, it is possible to include the ''you'' in imperative sentences for emphasis.

English imperatives are negated using ''don't'' (as in "Don't work!") This is a case of [[do-support|''do''-support]] as found in indicative clauses; however in the imperative it applies even in the case of the verb ''be'' (which does not use ''do''-support in the indicative):
*You '''are not''' late. (indicative)
*'''Don't be''' late! (imperative)
It is also possible to use ''do''-support in affirmative imperatives, for emphasis or (sometimes) politeness: "Do be quiet!", "Do help yourself!".

The subject ''you'' may be included for emphasis in negated imperatives as well, following ''don't'': "Don't you dare do that again!"

====Dutch====
A peculiar feature of [[Dutch language|Dutch]] is that it can form an imperative mood in the [[pluperfect tense]]. Its use is fairly common:<ref>[http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_tij003199501_01/_tij003199501_01_0031.php A.M. Duinhoven, 'Had gebeld! De irreële imperatief'], in: Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse Taal- en Letterkunde. Jaargang 111(1995)</ref>
* {{lang|nl|Had gebeld!}} (You should have called!, ''If only'' you had called)
* {{lang|nl|Was gekomen!}} (You should have come!, ''If only'' you had come)

====German====
German verbs have a singular and a plural imperative. The singular imperative is equivalent to the bare stem or the bare stem + {{lang|de|-e}}. (In most verbs, both ways are correct.) The plural imperative is the same as the second-person plural of the present tense.

* {{lang|de|Sing!}} or: {{lang|de|Singe!}} – said to one person: "Sing!"
* {{lang|de|Singt!}} – said to a group of persons: "Sing!"

In order to emphasize their addressee, German imperatives can be followed by the [[nominative case|nominative]] personal pronouns {{lang|de|du}} ("thou; you {{gcl|SG}}") or {{lang|de|ihr}} ("you {{gcl|PL}}"), respectively. For example: "{{lang|de|Geh weg!}}" – "{{lang|de|Geh <u>du</u> doch weg!}}" ("Go away!" – "Why, <u>you</u> go away!").

German has [[T/V distinction]], which means that the pronouns {{lang|de|du}} and {{lang|de|ihr}} are used chiefly towards persons with whom one is privately acquainted, which holds true for the corresponding imperatives. (For details see [[German grammar]].) Otherwise, the social-distance pronoun {{lang|de|Sie}} (you) is used for both singular and plural. Since there exists no actual imperative corresponding to {{lang|de|Sie}}, the form is paraphrased with the third-person plural of the present [[subjunctive]] followed by the pronoun:

* {{lang|de|Singen Sie!}} – said to one or more persons: "Sing!"
* {{lang|de|Seien Sie still!}} – said to one or more persons: "Be quiet!"

Occasionally, the [[infinitive]] (''Infinitiv'' or ''Infinitiv als Imperativ'') may be used as a mild or polite imperative, in order to avoid directly addressing the person or to simplify the sentence's construction. Although sometimes used in spoken language, this form is most commonly used in general instructions and recipes. Examples include:

* {{lang|de|Nicht rauchen!}} – "No smoking!"
* {{lang|de|Pasta im Salzwasser sehr bissfest kochen und abtropfen lassen.}} - "Cook the pasta ''al dente'' and drain."
* {{lang|de|Bitte nicht berühren!}} - "Please do not touch!"

Like English, German features many constructions that express commands, wishes, etc. They are thus [[semantics|semantically]] related to imperatives without being imperatives grammatically:
* {{lang|de|Lasst uns singen!}} (Let's sing!)
* {{lang|de|Mögest du singen!}} (You may sing!)
* {{lang|de|Du sollst singen!}} (You should sing!)

===Romance languages===

====French====
Examples of regular imperatives in French are {{lang|fr|manges}} ({{gcl|2SG}}), {{lang|fr|mangez}} ({{gcl|2PL}}) and {{lang|fr|mangeons}} ({{gcl|1PL}}, "let's eat"), from {{lang|fr|manger}} (to eat) – these are similar or identical to the corresponding present indicative forms, although there are some irregular imperatives that resemble the present subjunctives, such as {{lang|fr|sois}}, {{lang|fr|soyez}} and {{lang|fr|soyons}}, from {{lang|fr|être}} (to be). A third person imperative can be formed using a subjunctive clause with the conjunction {{lang|fr|que}}, as in {{lang|fr|qu'ils mangent de la brioche}} ([[let them eat cake]]).

French uses different word order for affirmative and negative imperative sentences:
* {{lang|fr|Donne-le-leur.}} (Give it to them.)
* {{lang|fr|Ne le leur donne pas.}} (Don't give it to them.)

The negative imperative (prohibitive) has the same word order as the indicative. See {{slink|French personal pronouns|Clitic order}} for detail.
Like in English, imperative sentences often end with an exclamation mark, e.g. to emphasize an order.

In French there is a very distinctive imperative which is the imperative mood of [[preterite tense]] also called (past imperative or imperative of [[perfect future|future perfect]]), expresses a given order with previous future value which must be executed or fulfilled in a [[future]] not immediate, as if it were an action to come, but earlier in relation to another that will also happen in the future. However, this type of imperative is peculiar to French which has only one purpose: to order that something be done before the date or time, therefore, this will always be accompanied by a [[circumstantial complement]] of time. However, this imperative is formed with the auxiliary verb of the {{lang|fr|avoir}} compound tenses and with the auxiliary verb {{lang|fr|être}} that is also used to form the tenses composed of the pronominal verbs and some of the intransitive verbs, this means that the structure of the verb imperative in its entirety is composed.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Examples of Imperative of Preterite Tense
|-
! colspan="7" |with the auxiliary {{lang|fr|avoir}}
|-
!
! {{lang|fr|aimer}}
! {{lang|fr|finir}}
! {{lang|fr|ouvrir}}
! {{lang|fr|recevoir}}
! {{lang|fr|rendre}}
! {{lang|fr|mettre}}
|-
! {{gcl|2SG}}
| {{lang|fr|aie aimé}}
| {{lang|fr|aie fini}}
| {{lang|fr|aie ouvert}}
| {{lang|fr|aie reçu}}
| {{lang|fr|aie rendu}}
| {{lang|fr|aie mis}}
|-
! {{gcl|1PL}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons aimé}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons fini}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons ouvert}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons reçu}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons rendu}}
| {{lang|fr|ayons mis}}
|-
! {{gcl|2PL}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez aimé}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez fini}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez ouvert}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez reçu}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez rendu}}
| {{lang|fr|ayez mis}}
|-
! colspan="7" | with the auxiliary {{lang|fr|être}}
|-
!
! {{lang|fr|aller}}
! {{lang|fr|partir}}
! {{lang|fr|venir}}
! {{lang|fr|mourir}}
! {{lang|fr|naître}}
! {{lang|fr|devenir}}
|-
! {{gcl|2SG}}
| {{lang|fr|sois allé}}
| {{lang|fr|sois parti}}
| {{lang|fr|sois venu}}
| {{lang|fr|sois mort}}
| {{lang|fr|sois né}}
| {{lang|fr|sois devenu}}
|-
! {{gcl|1PL}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons allés}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons partis}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons venus}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons morts}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons nés}}
| {{lang|fr|soyons devenus}}
|-
! {{gcl|2PL}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez allés}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez partis}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez venus}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez morts}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez nés}}
| {{lang|fr|soyez devenus}}
|}

* {{lang|fr|'''Soyez levés''' demain avant huit heures.}} ('''Get up''' tomorrow before eight o'clock.) [With the auxiliary {{lang|fr|être}}]
* {{lang|fr|'''Ayez fini''' le travail avant qu'il (ne) fasse nuit.}} ('''Finish''' the work before it gets dark.) [With the auxiliary {{lang|fr|avoir}} and optional [[Expletive (linguistics)|expletive]] {{lang|fr|ne}}]
* {{lang|fr|'''Aie écrit''' le livre demain.}} ('''Write''' the book tomorrow.) [With the auxiliary {{lang|fr|avoir}}]
* {{lang|fr|'''Soyez partis''' à midi.}} ('''Leave''' at noon.) [With the auxiliary {{lang|fr|être}}]
* {{lang|fr|'''Ayons fini''' les devoirs à 6 h.}} ('''Let us complete''' homework at 6 o'clock.) [With the auxiliary {{lang|fr|avoir}}]

In [[English language|English]] there is no equivalent grammatical structure to form this tense of the imperative mood; it is translated in imperative mood of present with previous value.

====Spanish====
In Spanish, imperatives for the familiar singular second person (''tú'') are usually identical to indicative forms for the singular third person. However, there are irregular verbs for which unique imperative forms for ''tú'' exist. ''vos'' ([[voseo|alternative to ''tú'']]) usually takes the same forms as ''tú'' (usually with slightly different emphasis) but unique forms exist for it as well. ''vosotros'' (plural familiar second person) also takes unique forms for the imperative.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Infinitive
! rowspan="2" | 3rd person<br>indicative
! colspan="5" | imperative
|-
! {{lang|es|tú}}
! {{lang|es|vos}}
! {{lang|es|usted}}
! {{lang|es|vosotros /<br> vosotras}}
! {{lang|es|ustedes}}
|-
| {{lang|es|comer}}
| {{lang|es|come}}
| {{lang|es|come}}
| {{lang|es|comé}}*
| {{lang|es|coma}}
| {{lang|es|comed}}*
| {{lang|es|coman}}
|-
| {{lang|es|beber}}
| {{lang|es|bebe}}
| {{lang|es|bebe}}
| {{lang|es|bebé}}*
| {{lang|es|beba}}
| {{lang|es|bebed}}*
| {{lang|es|beban}}
|-
| {{lang|es|tener}}
| {{lang|es|tiene}}
| {{lang|es|ten}}*
| {{lang|es|tené}}*
| {{lang|es|tenga}}
| {{lang|es|tened}}*
| {{lang|es|tengan}}
|-
| {{lang|es|decir}}
| {{lang|es|dice}}
| {{lang|es|di}}*
| {{lang|es|decí}}*
| {{lang|es|diga}}
| {{lang|es|decid}}*
| {{lang|es|digan}}
|-
| colspan="7" style="font-size:90%" | * = unique verb that only exists for this imperative form
|}

If an imperative takes a pronoun as an object, it is appended to the verb; for example, {{lang|es|Dime}} (Tell me). Pronouns can be stacked like they can in indicative clauses:

* {{lang|es|Me lo dices.}} (You tell me it or You tell it to me, can also mean You tell me as {{lang|es|lo}} usually is not translated)
* {{lang|es|Dímelo.}} (Tell me it, Tell it to me, Tell me)

Imperatives can be formed for {{lang|es|usted}} (singular formal second person), {{lang|es|ustedes}} (plural second person), and {{lang|es|nosotros}} (plural first person) from the respective present subjunctive form. Negative imperatives for these pronouns (as well as {{lang|es|tú}}, {{lang|es|vos}}, and {{lang|es|vosotros}}) are also formed this way, but are negated by {{lang|es|no}} (e.g. {{lang|es|No cantes}}, "Don't sing").

====Portuguese====
In Portuguese, affirmative imperatives for singular and plural second person ({{lang|pt|tu / vós}}) derive from their respective present indicative conjugations, after having their final {{lang|pt|-s}} dropped.<ref group="pt">There are some exceptions to this rule; mainly for phonetical reasons and for {{lang|pt|vós}}, which hold {{lang|pt|vós}}{{'s}} archaic conjugation paradigm, {{lang|pt|-des}}.</ref> On the other hand, their negative imperatives are formed by their respective subjunctive forms, as well as both affirmative and negative imperatives for treatment pronouns ({{lang|pt|você(s)}}) and plural first person ({{lang|pt|nós}}).

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="3" | infinitive
! colspan="2" | indicative
! colspan="7" | imperative
|-
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|pt|tu}}
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|pt|vós}}
! colspan="2" | affirmative
! colspan="2" | negative
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|pt|você}}
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|pt|vocês}}
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|pt|nós}}
|-
! {{lang|pt|tu}}
! {{lang|pt|vós}}
! {{lang|pt|tu}}
! {{lang|pt|vós}}
|-
| {{lang|pt|comer}}
| {{lang|pt|comes}}
| {{lang|pt|comeis}}
| {{lang|pt|come}}
| {{lang|pt|comei}}
| {{lang|pt|não comas}}
| {{lang|pt|não comais}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) coma}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) comam}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) comamos}}
|-
| {{lang|pt|beber}}
| {{lang|pt|bebes}}
| {{lang|pt|bebeis}}
| {{lang|pt|bebe}}
| {{lang|pt|bebei}}
| {{lang|pt|não bebas}}
| {{lang|pt|não bebais}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) beba}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) bebam}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) bebamos}}
|-
| {{lang|pt|ter}}
| {{lang|pt|tens}}
| {{lang|pt|tendes}}
| {{lang|pt|tem}}
| {{lang|pt|tende}}
| {{lang|pt|não tenhas}}
| {{lang|pt|não tenhais}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) tenha}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) tenham}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) tenhamos}}
|-
| {{lang|pt|dizer}}
| {{lang|pt|dizes}}
| {{lang|pt|dizeis}}
| {{lang|pt|diz(e)}}
| {{lang|pt|dizei}}
| {{lang|pt|não digas}}
| {{lang|pt|não digais}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) diga}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) digam}}
| {{lang|pt|(não) digamos}}
|}
{{Reflist|group=pt}}

If a verb takes a pronoun, it should be appended to the verb:
* {{lang|pt|Diz(e)-me.}} (Tell me) Portugal/Brazil
* {{lang|pt|Me diz.}} (Tell me) Brazil (spoken)
* {{lang|pt|Diz(e)-mo.}} (Tell me it, Tell it to me)

===Celtic languages===
====Welsh====

In [[Colloquial Welsh morphology|spoken Welsh]] most verbs can form two imperatives, both in the second person: one for singular and one for plural/polite singular. The singular imperative is formed by adding ''–a'' to the verbal-stem ({{lang|cy|gwel-}} → {{lang|cy|gwela}} 'see!') while the plural/polite form takes ''–wch'': {{lang|cy|gwelwch}} 'see!'. In informal writing, the plural/polite form is often used to translate 'please' as in {{lang|cy|talwch yma}} '(please) pay here' ({{lang|cy|talwch}} is the plural/polite imperative form of {{lang|cy|talu}} 'to pay').

In [[Literary Welsh morphology|literary Welsh]] there are imperatives for all persons and numbers, except for the first-person singular. These must often be translated using phrases in English: {{lang|cy|gwelwn}} 'let us see'; {{lang|cy|gwelent}} 'let them see'; {{lang|cy|wele}} 'let him/her/it see'; {{lang|cy|gweler}} 'let it be seen, it is to be seen'. In the literary language the second person singular suffix ''–a'' is often not used: {{lang|cy|gwela}} (spoken), but {{lang|cy|gwêl}} (literary); {{lang|cy|tala}} (spoken), but {{lang|cy|tâl}} (literary).

The five [[Irregular verbs|irregular]] Welsh verbs ({{lang|cy|bod, mynd, dod, cael}} and {{lang|cy|gwneud}}) also have irregular imperative forms which also differ between the spoken and literary languages.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Irregular verbs
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | 2nd person
! colspan="2" | 3rd person
! 1st person
! rowspan="2" | impersonal
|-
! singular || plural
! singular || plural
! plural
|-
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|cy|bod}}<br>{{no bold|'to be'}}
! {{small|spoken}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|cy|bydd(a)}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|cy|byddwch}}
|
|
|
|
|-
! {{small|literary}}
| {{lang|cy|bydded, boed, bid}}
| {{lang|cy|byddent}}
| {{lang|cy|byddwn}}
| {{lang|cy|bydder}}
|-
! colspan="2" | {{lang|cy|mynd}}<br>{{no bold|'to go'}}
| {{lang|cy|dos}}
| {{lang|cy|ewch}}
|
|
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | {{lang|cy|dod}}<br>{{no bold|'to come'}}
! {{small|spoken}}
| {{lang|cy|tyrd, dere}}
| {{lang|cy|dewch, dowch}}
|
|
|
|
|-
! {{small|literary}}
| {{lang|cy|dere, tyrd, tyred}}
| {{lang|cy|deuwch, dewch, dowch}}
| {{lang|cy|deued, doed, deled}}
| {{lang|cy|deuent, doent, delent}}
| {{lang|cy|deuwn, down}}
| {{lang|cy|deuer, doer, deler}}
|-
! colspan="2" | {{lang|cy|gwneud}}<br>{{no bold|'to do, to make'}}
| {{lang|cy|gwna}}
| {{lang|cy|gwnewch}}
|
|
|
|
|-
! {{lang|cy|cael}}<br>{{no bold|'to get'}}
! {{small|literary}}{{efn|{{lang|cy|cael}} has no imperative forms in the spoken language}}
| {{lang|cy|ca}}
| {{lang|cy|cewch}}
|
|
|
|
|}
{{notelist}}

====Irish====
[[Irish language|Irish]] has imperative forms in all three persons and both numbers, although the first person singular is most commonly found in the negative (e.g. {{lang|ga|ná cloisim sin arís}} "let me not hear that again").

===Indic Languages===

====Hindi-Urdu====
In [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]] ([[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]) the imperatives are conjugated by adding suffixes to the root verb. The negative and positive imperatives are not constructed differently in Hindustani. There are three negations that be used to form negative imperatives.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bhatt |first1=Rajesh |last2=Sharma |first2=Ghanshyam |title=Trends in Hindi Linguistics |publisher=De Gruyter Mouton |year=2018 |isbn=978-3-11-060698-0 |location=Berlin/Boston |pages=315}}</ref> They are:

* Imperative negation - '''mat''' {{lang|hi|मत}} {{lang|ur|مت}} (used with verbs in imperative mood)
* Indicative negation - '''nahī̃''' {{lang|hi|नहीं}} {{lang|ur|نہیں}} (used with verbs in [[Indicative mood|indicative]] and [[presumptive mood]])
* Subjunctive negation - '''nā''' {{lang|hi|ना}} {{lang|ur|نا}} (used with verbs in [[Subjunctive mood|subjunctive]] and [[Counterfactual conditional|contrafactual mood]])

Often to soften down the tone of the imperatives, the subjunctive and indicative negation are used to form negative imperatives. Imperatives can also be formed using subjunctives to give indirect commands to the third person and to formal second person.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Third Person Imperatives in Hindi| date=6 August 2013 |url=https://hindilanguage.info/notes/volume-4/third-person-imperatives/}}</ref> A peculiar feature of Hindi-Urdu is that it has imperatives in two tenses; present and the future tense.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/0/82184/files/2020/02/FASAL_10_paper_6.pdf|title=Deferred imperatives across Indo-Aryan|accessdate=26 December 2023}}</ref> The present tense imperative gives command in the present and future imperative gives command for the future. Hindi-Urdu explicitly marks grammatical aspects and any verb can be put into the simple, habitual, perfective, and progressive aspects. Each aspect in turn can be conjugated into five different grammatical moods, imperative mood being one of them.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{lang|hi|करना}} {{Transliteration|inc|karnā}} {{lang|ur|کرنا}} (to do) conjugated into the imperative mood for all the four aspectual forms
! rowspan="3" colspan="3" |
! colspan="3" | 2nd person pronouns
! rowspan="3" | Translation
|-
! Intimate
! Familiar
! Formal
|-
! {{lang|hi|तू}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|tū}}<br />{{lang|ur|تو}}
! {{lang|hi|तुम}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|tum}}<br />{{lang|ur|تم}}
! {{lang|hi|आप}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|āp}}<br />{{lang|ur|آپ}}
|-
! rowspan="4" | Simple<br />aspect
! rowspan="2" | Present
! ♀
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|कर}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|करो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرو}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|करिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kariye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرے}}
| rowspan="2" | do nowǃ
|-
! ♂
|-
! rowspan="2" | Future
! ♀
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|करियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kariyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کریو}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|करना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرنا}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|hi|करियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kariyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کریگا}}
| rowspan="2" | do laterǃ
|-
! ♂
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Habitual aspect|Habitual<br />aspect]]
! rowspan="2" | Present
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|करता रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartā rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتا رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|करते रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karte raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتے رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|करते रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karte rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتے رہے}}
| rowspan="2" | keep doingǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|करती रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتی رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|करती रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتی رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|करती रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتی رہے}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | Future
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|करता रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartā rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتا رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|करते रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karte rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتے رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|करते रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|karte rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتے رہیگا}}
| rowspan="2" | keep doing later as wellǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|करती रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|لڑتی رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|करती रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتی رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|करती रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kartī rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کرتی رہیگا}}
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Perfective aspect|Perfective<br />aspect]]
! rowspan="2" | Present
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|किया रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiyā rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کیا رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|किये रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiye raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کے رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|किये रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiye rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کے رہے}}
| rowspan="2" | keep (it) done nowǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|की रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|की रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|की रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہے}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | Future
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|किया रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiyā rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کیا رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|किये रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiye rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کے رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|किये रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kiye rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کے رہیگا}}
| rowspan="2" | keep (it) done laterǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|की रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|की रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|की रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kī rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کی رہیگا}}
|-
! rowspan="4" | [[Progressive aspect|Progressive<br />aspect]]
! rowspan="2" | Present
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|कर रहा रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahā rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہا رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रहे रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahe raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہے رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रहे रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahe rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہے رہے}}
| rowspan="2" | be/continue doingǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रह}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī rêh}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہ}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रहो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī raho}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہو}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रहिये}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī rahiye}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہے}}
|-
! rowspan="2" | Future
! ♀
| {{lang|hi|कर रहा रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahā rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہا رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रहे रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahe rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہے رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रहे रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahe rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہے رہیگا}}
| rowspan="2" | be/stay doingǃ
|-
! ♂
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रहियो}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī rahiyo}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہیو}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रहना}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī rêhnā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہنا}}
| {{lang|hi|कर रही रहियेगा}}<br />{{transliteration|inc|kar rahī rahiyegā}}<br />{{lang|ur|کر رہی رہیگا}}
|}

====Sanskrit====
In [[Sanskrit]], {{langx|sa|लोट् लकार|translit=lōṭ lakāra|label=none}} is used with the verb to form the imperative mood. To form the negative, {{langx|sa|न|translit=na|label=none}} or {{langx|sa|मा|translit=mā|label=none}} (when the verb is in passive or active voice respectively) is placed before the verb in the imperative mood.

====Bengali====
Standard modern [[Bengali language|Bengali]] uses the negative postposition /nā/ after a future imperative formed using the {{lang|bn|-iyo}} fusional suffix (in addition, umlaut vowel changes in the verb root might take place).

===Other Indo-European languages===

====Greek====
[[Ancient Greek]] has imperative forms for present, aorist, and perfect tenses for the active, middle, and passive voices.  Within these tenses, forms exist for second and third persons, for singular, dual, and plural subjects.  Subjunctive forms with μή are used for negative imperatives in the aorist.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ present active imperative
|-
!rowspan=2| singular
! 2nd person
| {{lang|el|λεῖπ'''ε'''}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{lang|el|λειπ'''έτω'''}}
|-
!rowspan=2| plural
! 2nd person
| {{lang|el|λείπ'''ετε'''}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{lang|el|λειπ'''όντων'''}}
|}

In ancient Greek, the general order (with the idea of duration or repetition) is expressed using the present imperative and the punctual order (without the idea of duration or repetition) using the aorist imperative.

====Russian====
The commanding form in Russian language is formed from the base of the present tense.<ref>Валгина Н.С., Розенталь Д.Э. Современный русский язык. 1987, Moscow, page 322—323. isbn 978-5-8112-6640-1</ref> The most common form of the second person singular or plural. The form of the second person singular in the imperative mood is formed as follows:
* A verb with a present stem ending in '''{{lang|ru|– j –}}''' the form of the second person singular of the imperative mood is equal to the base: {{lang|ru|читаj-у — читай, убираj-у — убирай, открываj-у — открывай, поj-у — пой}}.

===Non-Indo-European languages===

====Finnish====
In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], there are two ways of forming a first-person plural imperative. A standard version exists, but it is typically replaced colloquially by the impersonal tense.

Forms also exist for second and third person. Only first person singular does not have an imperative.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{lang|fi|mennä}} (to go)
! colspan="2" |
! singular
! plural
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1st person
! standard form
| 
| {{lang|fi|menkäämme}}
|-
! colloquial
| 
| {{lang|fi|mennään}}
|-
! colspan="2" | 2nd person
| {{lang|fi|mene}}
| {{lang|fi|menkää}}
|-
! colspan="2" | 3rd person
| {{lang|fi|menköön}}
| {{lang|fi|menkööt}}
|}

====Hebrew====
In [[classical Hebrew]], there is a form for positive imperative. It exists for singular and plural, masculine and feminine second-person. The imperative conjugations look like shortages of the future ones. However, in modern Hebrew, the future tense is often used in its place in colloquial speech, and the proper imperative form is considered formal or of higher [[Register (sociolinguistics)|register]].

The negative imperative in those languages is more complicated. In modern Hebrew, for instance, it contains a synonym of the word "no", that is used only in negative imperative ({{lang|he|אַל}}), and is followed by the future tense.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ The verb 'to write' in singular, masculine
!
! Future Indicative
! Imperative / Prohibitive
|-
! Affirmative
| {{Transliteration|he|tikhtov}} – {{lang|he|תכתוב}}<br /> 'You will write'
| {{Transliteration|he|ktov}} – {{lang|he|כתוב}}<br /> 'Write!'
|-
! Negative
| {{Transliteration|he|lo tikhtov}} – {{lang|he|לא תכתוב}}<br /> 'You will not write'
| {{Transliteration|he|al tikhtov}} – {{lang|he|אל תכתוב}}<br /> 'Don't write!'
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ The verb 'to write' in singular, feminine
!
! Future Indicative
! Imperative / Prohibitive
|-
! Affirmative
| {{Transliteration|he|tikhtevi}} – {{lang|he|תכתבי}}<br /> 'You will write'
| {{Transliteration|he|kitvi}} – {{lang|he|כתבי}}<br /> 'Write!'
|-
! Negative
| {{Transliteration|he|lo tikhtevi}} – {{lang|he|לא תכתבי}}<br /> 'You will not write'
| {{Transliteration|he|al tikhtevi}} – {{lang|he|אל תכתבי}}<br /> 'Don't write!'
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ The verb 'to dictate' in singular, masculine
!
! Future Indicative
! Imperative / Prohibitive
|-
! Affirmative
| {{Transliteration|he|takhtiv}} – {{lang|he|תכתיב}}<br /> 'You will dictate'
| {{Transliteration|he|hakhtev}} – {{lang|he|הכתב }}<br /> 'Dictate!'
|-
! Negative
| {{Transliteration|he|lo takhtiv}} – {{lang|he|לא תכתיב}}<br /> 'You will not dictate'
| {{Transliteration|he|al takhtiv}} – {{lang|he|אל תכתיב}}<br /> 'Don't dictate!'
|}

==== Japanese ====
[[Japanese language|Japanese]] uses separate verb forms as shown below.

{| class="wikitable"
|+  For the verb {{Transliteration|ja|kaku}} ('write')
! Form
! Indicative
! Imperative<br />/ Prohibitive
|-
! Affirmative
| {{nihongo2|書く}} {{Transliteration|ja|kaku}}
| {{nihongo2|書け}} {{Transliteration|ja|kake}}
|-
! Negative
| {{nihongo2|書かない}} {{Transliteration|ja|kakanai}}
| {{nihongo2|書くな}} {{Transliteration|ja|kakuna}}
|}

See also the suffixes {{nihongo2|〜{{wikt-lang|ja|なさい}}}} (''–nasai'') and {{nihongo2|〜{{wikt-lang|ja|下さい}}}} (''–kudasai'').

==== Korean ====
[[Korean language|Korean]] has six [[Korean speech levels|levels of honorific]], all of which have their own imperative endings. Auxiliary verbs {{lang|ko|않다}} {{Transliteration|ko|anta}} and {{lang|ko|말다}} {{Transliteration|ko|malda}} are used for negative indicative and prohibitive, respectively.

{| class="wikitable"
|+  For the verb {{Transliteration|ko|gada}} ('go'):
! Level
! Indicative <br> Affirmative
! Imperative
! Indicative <br> Negative
! Prohibitive
|-
! (formal) [[Korean speech levels#Hasipsio-che|Hasipsio-style]]
| {{lang|ko|가십니다}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gasimnida}}
| {{lang|ko|가십시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gasipsio}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않으십니다}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji aneusimnida}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 마십시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji masipsio}}<ref group="vn" name="conjugation">Verb and adjective stems that end in ㄹ ''l'', including ''mal-'', eliminate the last ''l'' before suffixes starting with ''l'' (not ''r''), ''n'', ''o'', ''p'', and ''s''.</ref>
|-
! [[Korean speech levels#Haeyo-che|Haeyo-style]]
| {{lang|ko|가세요}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaseyo}}
| {{lang|ko|가세요}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaseyo}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않으세요}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji aneuseyo}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 마세요}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji maseyo}}<ref group="vn" name="conjugation" />
|-
! [[Korean speech levels#Hao-che|Hao-style]]
| {{lang|ko|가시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gasio}}
| {{lang|ko|가시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gasio}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않으시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji aneusio}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 마시오}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji masio}}<ref group="vn" name="conjugation" />
|-
! [[Korean speech levels#Hage-che|Hage-style]]
| {{lang|ko|가네}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gane}}
| {{lang|ko|가게}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gage}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않네}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji anne}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 말게}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji malge}}
|-
! [[Korean speech levels#Hae-che|Hae-style]]
| {{lang|ko|가}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|ga}}
| {{lang|ko|가}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|ga}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않아}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji ana}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 마}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji ma}}<ref group="vn" name="exception">An imperative suffix {{Transliteration|ko|-a(ra)}} contracts {{Transliteration|ko|mal-}} to {{Transliteration|ko|ma-}} exceptionally. The other verbs are not contracted by {{Transliteration|ko|-a(ra)}}.</ref>
|-
! (informal) [[Korean speech levels#Haera-che|Haera-style]]
| {{lang|ko|간다}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|ganda}}
| {{lang|ko|가라}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gara}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 않는다}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji anneunda}}
| {{lang|ko|가지 마라}} <br> {{Transliteration|ko|gaji mara}}<ref group="vn" name="exception" />
|}

<references group="vn"/>

==== Mandarin ====
[[Standard Chinese]] uses different words of negation for the indicative and the prohibitive moods.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ For the verb {{lang|zh|做}} {{Transliteration|zh|zuò}} ('do')
!
! Indicative 
! Imperative<br />/ Prohibitive
|-
! Affirmative
| {{lang|zh|做}} {{Transliteration|zh|zuò}}
| {{lang|zh|做}} {{Transliteration|zh|zuò}}
|-
! Negative
| {{lang|zh|不做}} {{Transliteration|zh|búzuò}}
| {{lang|zh|别做}} {{Transliteration|zh|biézuò}}
|}

==== Turkish ====
For the imperative form, the second-person singular, [[Turkish language|Turkish]] uses the bare verb stem without the infinitive ending {{lang|tr|-mek/-mak}}. Other imperative forms use various suffixes. The second-person plural, which can also be used to express formality (See [[T–V distinction]]), uses the suffixes {{lang|tr|-in/-ın/-ün/-un}}. The second person [[Double plural|double-plural]], reserved for super formal contexts (usually public notifications), uses the suffixes {{lang|tr|-iniz/-ınız/-ünüz/-unuz}}. Third-person singular uses {{lang|tr|-sin/-sın/-sün/-sun}}. Third-person plural uses {{lang|tr|-sinler/-sınlar/-sünler/-sunlar}} (There is no third person double-plural in Turkish). First-person pronouns do not have imperative forms. All Turkish imperative suffixes change depending on the verb stem according to the rules of [[vowel harmony]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Imperative forms of the verb {{lang|tr|içmek}} (to drink, to smoke a cigarette or similar)
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2nd-person
! singular
| {{lang|tr|İç}} (Drink)
|-
! plural
| {{lang|tr|İçin}} (Drink)
|-
! double-plural
| {{lang|tr|İçiniz}} (Drink, e.g. {{lang|tr|Soğuk içiniz}} "Drink cold" on soft drinks)
|-
! rowspan="2" | 3rd-person
! singular
| {{lang|tr|İçsin}} (Let him/her drink)
|-
! plural
| {{lang|tr|İçsinler}} (Let them drink)
|}

Turkish also has a separate [[optative mood]]. Conjugations of the optative mood for the first-person pronouns are sometimes incorrectly said to be first-person imperatives. Conjugations of the optative mood for second and third-person pronouns exist, but are rarely used in practice.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Conjugations of the optative mood for pronouns
!rowspan=2| 1st-person
! singular
| {{lang|tr|içeyim}}
|-
! (double-)plural
| {{lang|tr|içelim}}
|-
!rowspan=2| 2nd person
! singular
| {{lang|tr|içesin}}
|-
! (double-)plural
| {{lang|tr|içesiniz}}
|-
!rowspan=2| 3rd person
! singular
| {{lang|tr|içe}}
|-
! plural
| {{lang|tr|içeler}}
|}

Negative imperative forms are made in the same way, but using a negated verb as the base. For example, the second person singular imperative of {{lang|tr|içmemek}} (not to drink) is {{lang|tr|içme}} (don't drink). Other [[Turkic languages]] construct imperative forms similarly to Turkish.

==See also==
* [[Free choice inference]]
* [[Imperative logic]]
* [[Modality (natural language)]]
* [[Pragmatics]]
* [[Speech act]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
* Austin, J. L. ''How to do things with words'', Oxford, Clarendon Press 1962.
* Schmecken, H. ''Orbis Romanus'', Paderborn, Schöningh 1975, {{ISBN|3-506-10330-X}}.

{{Grammatical moods}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Imperative Mood}}
[[Category:Grammatical moods]]
[[Category:Verb types]]