1. An instruction directly names the action
When we explain how to do something, English often begins each step immediately with the action. The listener understands that the instruction is addressed to them, so the usual subject you is not needed.
Imperatives are natural in recipes, directions, short work procedures, device instructions, and warnings. They can sound more direct in a personal request, but this form is familiar in a clear instruction.
Base verb + object/detail
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- V1 / base form —
- The base verb without to: work, go, be.
- object / O —
- Who or what an action affects: in I read a book, a book is the object.
Open the app.
Open the app.
The step begins with the base form Open; the listener is understood from the situation.
Turn left at the bank.
Turn left at the bank.
The imperative names the action Turn and adds a precise direction and place.
2. Affirmative imperative: the base form
The base form of the verb in an instruction does not have to, the ending -s, or -ing: press, check, mix, go. The form does not change depending on whether we are addressing one person or several people.
Add the necessary object and details after the verb. They make the instruction practical to carry out: what to open, where to turn, how much water to add, or how long to wait.
Press … / Check … / Mix … / Go …
Check the address before you send the email.
Check the address before you send the email.
Check is the base form; the clause with before specifies when to check the address.
Add 200 ml of water.
Add 200 ml of water.
The quantity makes the short imperative precise without changing the form Add.
3. Negative instructions and warnings
To say what not to do, put Don't before the base form: Don't touch, Don't open, Don't add. After don't, do not use to, -s, or -ing.
The full form Do not is also grammatical and often appears in formal signs. In this material, the main conversational pattern is Don't + base verb; we do not call the full form incorrect.
Don't + base verb + object/detail
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- V1 / base form —
- The base verb without to: work, go, be.
- object / O —
- Who or what an action affects: in I read a book, a book is the object.
Don't open the lid while the machine is on.
Don't open the lid while the machine is on.
Don’t open prohibits opening; the clause with while specifies when the prohibition applies.
Do not use this lift in a fire.
Do not use this lift in a fire.
Do not is the formal full form of the same negative imperative.
4. Sequence and precise details
Several imperatives form a procedure. Markers such as first, then, next, after that, and finally help show the order, but each step still begins with the required verb form.
Not every procedure needs all these markers. If the physical order is obvious, two short sentences are enough; if the steps could be confused, state the sequence clearly.
First, wash your hands. Then cut the vegetables.
First, wash your hands. Then cut the vegetables.
First and Then establish the order, while wash and cut remain base forms.
Wait for five minutes, then press Start.
Wait for five minutes, then press Start.
The duration and the marker then prevent the second step from being done too early.
5. Directness, politeness, and acceptable alternatives
An imperative in a technical or step-by-step instruction usually does not sound too direct. In a personal conversation, you can add please: Please sign here or Sign here, please.
The question Could you sign here? is also grammatical and polite, but it is a different form—a request. If the task specifically asks for an imperative, this question may not meet the learning goal, although the English sentence is correct.
Please close the door.
Please close the door.
Please softens the imperative; the base form close does not change.
Could you close the door?
Could you close the door?
This is a correct polite request, not an example of the base-verb formula without a subject.
6. Limits of the rule and applying it to your own speech
In a demonstration, you can explain a process using the Present Simple: You fold the paper, then you cut here. An imperative can also sometimes have an explicit you for emphasis: You stay here. Here we are practicing an ordinary instruction without an explicit subject; another natural form may not meet this specific condition.
Let’s start is a suggestion for a joint action, while Make sure you save the file is an imperative with the verb make: “Be sure to save the file.” These more complex ways of giving an instruction are also correct, although the focus here is the simple step Open… / Don’t open….
In your own instruction, first identify the goal, then divide the process into doable steps. Check the verb form, necessary object, order, and a safety warning for each step.
You fold the paper like this. Then you cut along the line.
You fold the paper like this. Then you cut along the line.
This is grammatical Present Simple used in a demonstration; it should not be marked as an ungrammatical error.
Fold the paper. Don't cut across the line.
Fold the paper. Don't cut across the line.
The pair combines a positive step with a genuine negative warning.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Presses the green button.
Correct:Press the green button.
In a complete imperative instruction without a subject, the base form Press is required, not the third-person form presses.
Incorrect:Don't to open the lid.
Correct:Don't open the lid.
After Don't, use the base form without to. The correction does not change the prohibited action.
Incorrect:Doesn't touch the wire.
Correct:Don't touch the wire.
A negative imperative is formed with Don't, whereas doesn't would require a third-person subject in a declarative sentence.
Incorrect:Not add more water.
Correct:Don't add more water.
Not by itself does not form a standard negative imperative; Don't is needed before the base form.
Incorrect:Don't adds any salt.
Correct:Don't add any salt.
After Don't, the verb does not take -s: the base form add is required.