Giving Commands In English (With Examples)

What are commands?

A command is an order. We give commands when we want to give instructions or directions, or simply when we want something to be done. In English, commands are given by using the imperative of the verbs or by adding “please” or by using modal verbs to sound more polite.

How to give commands in English

How to give commands	Examples	Degree of politeness
Using the imperative	Go out. Wait for me. Get in. Don’t say a word. Don’t be silly.	Less polite
Using the emphatic “do”	Do consider our offer. Do get informed before you start complaining. Do sit down.
Adding “please”	Please, wait for me Please, don’t smoke here. Please, have a seat.	Polite
Using modal verbs (to sound more like a request)	Can you wait for me, please? Will you bring the report, please? Could you close the door, please?	More polite

Examples of commands using the imperative

Note:

• We form the imperative by using the base form of the verb and omitting the subject pronoun (e.g., you go).
• The imperative is used with only the second person singular and plural (i.e., you.)

The affirmative form of the imperative

The affirmative is formed by removing the second-person singular and plural pronoun (i.e., you.)

1. Indicative:
   You stay here.
2. Imperative
   You stay here

Examples:

• Stop misbehaving.
• Hurry up.
• Wait for me.
• Go out.
• Do what you are told.
• Write down your name.
• Get ready.

The negative form of the imperative

The negative is formed by adding do not or don’t:

• Don’t be silly.
• Do not wear inappropriate clothes here.
• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t try to cheat.

Giving commands using the emphatic do.

Sometimes, you may want to add emphasis to your command. In this case, you may use the emphatic do.

Examples:

• Do read the instructions carefully.
• Do revise your lessons.
• Do think of our proposal.
• Do create an account to be able to access our premium content.

Softening commands

Commands may sound less strong and more polite by adding please, let’s, or modal verbs.

Commands with let’s (i.e., let us)

Examples:

• Let’s finish the work we started.
• Let’s hurry up.
• Let’s be patient.
• Let’s not have dinner tonight.
• Let’s not stay up late.

Giving Commands with modal verbs

The use of modal verbs (i.e., will, would, shall, may, can, could, etc.) makes commands sound more like requests.

Examples:

• Will you ask Jane to bring the report she wrote?
• Can you keep quiet?
• Could you drop Jane to the train station?
• Would you prepare the agenda for the next meeting?

The modal verbs shall and will are used for formal commands, maxims, and statements of obligation.

Examples:

• You shall not get in.
• Participants shall remain silent during the meditation session.
• The company shall refund unsatisfied clients.
• You shall do the job.
• You will do what the agent says.

Adding “please” to commands

Examples:

• Sit down, please.
• Don’t smoke here, please.

Other more polite ways to give commands

You can make commands less strong if you use I’d like you to + infinitive or I’d be grateful if you + infinitive without to.

Examples

• I’d like you to make two cups of coffee for us.
• I’d be grateful if you make enough photocopies of the report.

Conclusion

To give commands in English, we use the imperative mood (e.g., sit down), but this is a less polite way to give commands. If we want to sound more polite, we add “please” or we use modal verbs to sound more like a request than a command (e.g., Please, sit down, can you sit down, please?).