Imperative – giving instructions
Parle ! Finissons ! Attendez !
The imperative gives orders, instructions, advice and invitations. It has only three forms (tu, nous, vous) and no subject pronoun.
How to form it
Use the present tense without the pronoun:
| parler | finir | attendre | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (tu) | parle | finis | attends |
| (nous) | parlons | finissons | attendons |
| (vous) | parlez | finissez | attendez |
- Parle plus fort !Speak louder!
- Finissons ce travail.Let's finish this work.
- Attendez ici, s'il vous plaît.Wait here, please.
The nous form means let's.
-er verbs drop the s in the tu form
- tu parles → Parle !
- tu manges → Mange !
- tu vas → Va ! (aller too)
The s comes back before y and en, for the sound: Vas-y ! (Go on!), Manges-en ! (Eat some!)
Irregular imperatives
| être | avoir | savoir | vouloir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tu | sois | aie | sache | veuille |
| nous | soyons | ayons | sachons | — |
| vous | soyez | ayez | sachez | veuillez |
- Sois sage !Be good!
- N'aie pas peur.Don't be afraid.
- Veuillez patienter.Please wait. (formal)
Negative
- Ne parle pas ! N'oubliez pas ! Ne mangeons pas trop.
Reflexive verbs
- Lève-toi ! Dépêchez-vous ! Asseyons-nous. (pronoun after, with a hyphen; te becomes toi)
- Ne te lève pas ! (negative: pronoun before)
For object pronouns in commands, see Double object pronouns.
Practice
- Speak more slowly! (tu)Options: Parle plus lentement ! · Parles plus lentement ! · Tu parle plus lentement !
Show the answer
Parle plus lentement !
- Let's go!Options: Allons-y ! · Allez-y nous ! · Nous allons !
Show the answer
Allons-y !
- _____ patient ! (être, tu)
Show the answer
Sois
- N'_____ pas peur ! (avoir, vous)
Show the answer
ayez
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.