Giving instructions: using the imperative mood

A1
90 min
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1

Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. Who gives you instructions? For example, a teacher, your family, or your boss?
  2. Think about your home. What instructions do you hear every day?
  3. You are in a new city and you are lost. What do you do?
2

Be Careful!

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer the questions about the dialogue.

01What does Emma ask Marco to do first?
Sample answerShe asks him to pick up the big blue box.
02Where should Marco put the box?
Sample answerHe should put it on the chair.
03Why does Emma say 'Be careful!'?
Sample answerBecause the box looks heavy.
04Is the box light or heavy?
Sample answerThe box is heavy.
4

Vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.
Examples
Listen carefully — to pay close attention with your ears
Use this to tell someone that the next information is important. For example: 'Listen carefully. The class starts at 9 am.'
Pick up — to take something from a surface, like a floor or a table
This is a common action. For example: 'Pick up your pen and write your name.'
Put down — to place something you are holding onto a surface
This is the opposite of 'pick up'. For example: 'Put down your phone during the test.'
Be careful — to do something with care to avoid problems or danger
We often say this as a warning. For example: 'Be careful! The plate is hot.'
Wait a minute — to stop what you are doing for a short time
This is a friendly way to ask someone to pause. You can also say 'Wait a moment.' For example: 'Wait a minute, I have a question.'
5

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01 carefully to the instructions.
02Please the blue pencil from the table.
03 your bag on the floor next to your chair.
04! The floor is wet.
05Please here for a minute.
6

Grammar: The imperative mood

Grammar
We use the imperative to give instructions, commands, and directions. To make the imperative, we use the base form of the verb. We do not use a subject like 'you' or 'they'.
Examples
Open the window.
This is a simple instruction. We use the base verb 'open'.
Don't close the door.
For a negative instruction, we use 'Don't' + the base verb.
Please write your name here.
Add 'please' at the beginning or end to make the instruction more polite.
Key points
  • Use the base form of the verb (e.g., go, stop, look).
  • For negative commands, use 'Don't' before the verb.
  • Do not add a subject (like 'you'). Say 'Listen', not 'You listen'.
7

Find the error

01You open the window, please.
Corrected version
You Open the window, please.
02Reads the book slowly.
Corrected version
Reads Read the book slowly.
03No run in the classroom.
Corrected version
No Don't run in the classroom.
04Pick on your pen from the floor.
Corrected version
Pick on up your pen from the floor.
05Writing your name here.
Corrected version
Writing Write your name here.
06Be carful, the plate is hot.
Corrected version
Be carful, careful, the plate is hot.
07Waits a minute, please.
Corrected version
Waits Wait a minute, please.
8

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Think about your job or your school. Is it okay to say 'Listen carefully!' to your teacher or your boss?
  2. Which is better: to follow instructions very fast, or to follow instructions and 'be careful'?
  3. Imagine you are teaching a friend to use a new phone. What are two instructions you can say?