The imperative – Der Imperativ

What is the imperative?

We use imperative to express a request, an instruction or a command in direct speech (when you talk to somebody directly).

Ex:

Lesen Sie die Sätze! (Read the sentences!)

Öffne die Tür! (Open the door!)

How to form the imperative?

The verb comes in first position as in English. There are 3 different forms of imperative depending on whether it is Singular or Plural. Imperative is used when you speak directly to someone, so we use the second person.

• ‘’du ’’ (2. Person Singular)
• “ihr” (2. Person plural)
• “Sie” Höflichkeitsform (Singular und Plural)

• Use “du” form for singular as the verb conjugated in present, then drop “du” and the ‘-st’ ending.

Beispiel (example):

du machst Mach!

Mach die Hausaufgabe! (Make the homework!)

du kommst Komm!

Komm hier ! (Come here!)

• Use “ihr” form for plural as the verb conjugated in present, then remove only the word “ihr” and keep the ‘-t’ ending.

Beispiel (example):

Ihr macht Macht!

Macht die Hausaufgabe! (Make the homework!)

Ihr kommt Kommt!

Kommt hier! (Come here!)

• Use ‘Sie’ form (for both singular or plural formal) as the verb conjugated in present. Swap the positions only

Beisbiel (example):

Sie machen Machen Sie!

Machen Sie die Hausaufgabe! (make the homework!)

Sie Kommen Kommen Sie!

Kommen Sie hier! (Come here!)

Übung (exercise): Bilde den Imperativ! (form the imperative!)