The French Imperative: Giving Orders and Making Suggestions

What Is the Imperative Mood?

Think of the imperative as the “command” form of a verb. Unlike other verb conjugations, it doesn't use a subject pronoun (like je, tu, il). The subject is implied by the verb ending. It exists for only three subject forms:

• Tu (informal singular you): Use this when talking to a friend, a family member, a child, or anyone you'd normally address with 'tu'. Ex: 'Mange !' (Eat!)
• Nous (we, or 'let's'): Use this to make a suggestion that includes yourself. Ex: 'Allons-y !' (Let's go!)
• Vous (formal singular you, or plural you): Use this to address a stranger, a superior, a group of people, or anyone you'd normally address with 'vous'. Ex: 'Écoutez.' (Listen.)

Forming the Regular Imperative

For most verbs, the imperative is formed by taking the present tense conjugation for 'tu', 'nous', and 'vous' and simply dropping the subject pronoun. It's one of the easiest French conjugations to learn.

For example, with the verb 'finir' (to finish):

• Tu finis ton travail. -> Finis ton travail ! (Finish your work!)
• Nous finissons ensemble. -> Finissons ensemble ! (Let's finish together!)
• Vous finissez la lettre. -> Finissez la lettre ! (Finish the letter!)

However, there is one very important exception. For all verbs ending in '-er' (like 'parler', 'manger', 'écouter'), and also for the verb 'aller' (to go), you must drop the final 's' from the 'tu' form.

• Parler (to speak): Parle ! (Speak!)
• Manger (to eat): Mange ! (Eat!)
• Aller (to go): Va ! (Go!)

The 's' reappears on the 'tu' form of these verbs for euphonic (sound) reasons when they are followed by the pronouns 'y' or 'en'. The 's' helps the words flow together. For example: 'Vas-y !' (Go for it!) or 'Parles-en à ton frère.' (Talk about it to your brother.)

Irregular Imperative Verbs

A few essential verbs have irregular imperative forms that you just need to memorize. Luckily, there are only four you need to know for daily conversation.

The verb 'vouloir' is rarely used in the imperative except in the 'vous' form, 'veuillez', which is a very polite way to say 'please'. Example: 'Veuillez patienter.' (Please wait.) For 'être', you might say 'Sois sage !' (Be good!) to a child. For 'avoir', 'N'aie pas peur.' (Don't be afraid.) And for 'savoir', 'Sache que je suis là.' (Know that I'm here.)

The Imperative with Pronouns: Affirmative Commands

When you use object pronouns (like 'me', 'it', 'them', 'to him') with an affirmative (positive) command, the word order changes. The pronouns come after the verb and are attached with hyphens.

• Donne-le-moi. (Give it to me.)
• Dis-lui la vérité. (Tell him the truth.)
• Achetons-en. (Let's buy some.)
• Allez-y. (Go there.)

Notice two more important changes. The pronouns 'me' and 'te' become the stressed pronouns 'moi' and 'toi' after the verb.

• Regarde-moi ! (Look at me!)
• Assieds-toi. (Sit down.)

The Imperative with Pronouns: Negative Commands

In negative commands (using 'ne... pas'), the word order is more familiar. The pronouns go before the verb, just like in a normal declarative sentence. There are no hyphens.

Compare the affirmative and negative structures:

• Affirmative: Donne-le-moi. (Give it to me.)
• Negative: Ne me le donne pas. (Don't give it to me.)
• Affirmative: Lève-toi. (Get up.)
• Negative: Ne te lève pas. (Don't get up.)

Notice that 'moi' and 'toi' revert to 'me' and 'te' in the negative form. The structure is always: 'Ne' + pronoun(s) + verb + 'pas'.

Using Reflexive Verbs in the Imperative

For reflexive verbs, where the action is done to oneself (like 's'habiller', to get dressed), the pronoun rule is crucial.

In the affirmative, you attach the appropriate stressed pronoun with a hyphen: 'toi', 'nous', or 'vous'.

• Dépêche-toi ! (Hurry up!)
• Amusons-nous ! (Let's have fun!)
• Reposez-vous bien. (Rest well.)

In the negative, the reflexive pronoun ('te', 'nous', 'vous') goes before the verb.

• Ne te dépêche pas. (Don't hurry.)
• Ne nous inquiétons pas. (Let's not worry.)
• Ne vous levez pas. (Don't get up.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to drop the '-s' on '-er' verbs with 'tu'. Incorrect: 'Parles plus lentement !' Correct: 'Parle plus lentement !' (Speak more slowly!) Remember the 's' only stays if 'y' or 'en' follows: 'Penses-y !' (Think about it!).
• Using the subject pronoun. The imperative never has a subject pronoun. Incorrect: 'Vous écoutez la musique.' Correct: 'Écoutez la musique !' (Listen to the music!).
• Wrong pronoun placement. In affirmative commands, pronouns follow the verb. Incorrect: 'Le dis-moi.' Correct: 'Dis-le-moi.' (Tell it to me.).
• Using 'me' instead of 'moi'. In affirmative commands, it's always 'moi'. Incorrect: 'Donne-me la main.' Correct: 'Donne-moi la main.' (Give me your hand.)

Polite Alternatives to the Imperative

The imperative can sound very direct or even rude in some situations. To be more polite, French speakers often use other constructions:

• The conditional present: 'Pourriez-vous fermer la porte ?' (Could you close the door?) is much softer than 'Fermez la porte !'.
• 'Veuillez' + infinitive: This is a very formal and polite request. 'Veuillez signer ici.' (Please sign here.)
• 'Merci de' + infinitive: Often seen on signs and in public announcements. 'Merci de ne pas fumer.' (Thank you for not smoking.)
• The infinitive: In recipes or written instructions, the infinitive is used as a neutral command. 'Mélanger les ingrédients.' (Mix the ingredients.)

Check Your Understanding

Quick self-check

1. How would you tell a friend to 'wait' and a police officer to 'wait'?

   Show answer

   To a friend (tu): 'Attends !' To a police officer (vous): 'Attendez !' The verb 'attendre' is a regular -re verb, so the 's' remains in the 'tu' form.

2. Turn the affirmative command 'Habille-toi !' (Get dressed!) into a negative command.

   Show answer

   'Ne t'habille pas !' (Don't get dressed!). In the negative, 'toi' becomes 'te' and moves before the verb.

3. You want to say 'Let's have patience'. Which irregular verb would you use, and what is its 'nous' form?

   Show answer

   You would use the verb 'avoir' (to have). The command is 'Ayons de la patience !' (Let's have patience!).

4. How do you say 'Buy some of it' to a friend, using the verb 'acheter' and the pronoun 'en'?

   Show answer

   'Achètes-en !' Because the verb is followed by 'en', the final 's' of the 'tu' form is kept for euphonic reasons.

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