[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/imperative.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / imperative

[← I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/I/)

# imperative

«imperative» in Mova's school dictionary: **the form of a verb used to give orders, instructions or…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 2 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adjective (imperative); noun (the imperative, imperatives)

### meaning for a pupil

1) (grammar) The imperative is the form of a verb used to give orders, instructions or advice, like «Sit down!» or «Mix the flour». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#m1)

2) Imperative means extremely important or urgent, as in «It is imperative that you arrive on time». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#m2)

3) An imperative is something you must do, a duty or need. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In English grammar lessons: imperative verbs in instructions, recipes and rules («Cut the paper. Fold it in half.»); in formal speech, «it is imperative» means it must happen; phrases: imperative verb, it is imperative that.

### examples

- «Close the door» uses an imperative verb. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x1)
- Recipes are full of imperatives like «stir» and «bake». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x2)
- It is imperative that you wear a helmet. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x3)
- Bossy verbs are imperatives. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x4)
- Write instructions using imperative verbs. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x5)
- Saving the forest is a moral imperative. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x6)
- But he knew that he must go, for the call was imperative. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/#x7)

### note

In grammar, the imperative has no subject: «(You) sit down». Teachers often call them «bossy verbs». Formal sense is in the stiff exam voice.

### In the corpora

- [Bossy verbs, also called imperative verbs, tell you what to do: mix, fill, push, stir.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/23-reading-non-fiction-recount-instructions-report/25/)
- [Instructions use imperative (bossy) verbs at the start of steps: mix, cut, press, brush.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/44-writing-to-inform-instruct-and-persuade/7/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «imperative» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imperative/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.