What is the imperative?
You use the imperative to give instructions, ask for something, make suggestions or give advice. There are only three forms: tu (one person you know well), vous (one person you address formally, or several people) and nous (“let’s …”). English has one “you”; French makes you choose.
Three forms, one verb
Parle plus fort !
Speak louder! (tu)
Parlons français !
Let’s speak French! (nous)
Parlez plus lentement !
Speak more slowly! (vous)
Forming the imperative
The imperative has the same form as the present tense of tu, nous and vous, just without the pronoun. This also holds for irregular verbs: Fais !, Dis !, Prends !, Viens !, Faites !
Regular verbs in the imperative
| Infinitive | tu | nous | vous |
|---|---|---|---|
| parler | Parle ! | Parlons ! | Parlez ! |
| aller | Va ! | Allons ! | Allez ! |
| finir | Finis ! | Finissons ! | Finissez ! |
| attendre | Attends ! | Attendons ! | Attendez ! |
The tu form loses its -s only with parler and aller
In a sentence
Ferme la porte, s’il te plaît !
Close the door, please!
Fais tes devoirs !
Do your homework!
Allons au cinéma !
Let’s go to the cinema!
Attendez ici, s’il vous plaît !
Wait here, please!
Their own forms: être and avoir
These two very common verbs have their own imperative forms. Learn them by heart.
être and avoir
| Infinitive | tu | nous | vous |
|---|---|---|---|
| être (to be) | Sois ! | Soyons ! | Soyez ! |
| avoir (to have) | Aie ! | Ayons ! | Ayez ! |
Own forms instead of the present tense
In a sentence
Sois gentil !
Be nice!
Aie confiance !
Have confidence!
Soyez à l’heure demain !
Be on time tomorrow!
Negative commands
Negative commands use ne … pas around the verb, like any other French sentence. There is no equivalent of English “don’t”.
Negative commands in a sentence
Ne mange pas ça !
Don’t eat that!
Ne partez pas !
Don’t leave!
Ne sois pas triste !
Don’t be sad!
Commands you will hear all the time
Regarde !
Look!
Écoute !
Listen!
Viens !
Come!
Arrête !
Stop!
Fais attention !
Be careful!
