7.3.6

Imperative

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Imperatives

Imperatives are used to give orders. In French, you form the imperative by using the 'tu', 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the present tense.

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ER verbs

  • To form the imperative you take the 'tu','nous' and 'vous' forms of the present tense, and remove the 'tu', 'nous' and 'vous'.
  • With ER verbs, in the 'tu' form you remove the 's' from the present tense ending.
    • Tu regardes → Regarde!
      • You (singular) watch → Watch!
    • Nous regardons → Regardons!
      • We watch → Let's watch!
    • Vous regardez → Regardez!
      • You (plural/formal) watch → Watch!
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IR verbs

  • To form the imperative you take the 'tu','nous' and 'vous' forms of the present tense, and remove the 'tu', 'nou' and 'vous'.
    • Tu sors → Sors!
      • You (singular) go out → Get out!
    • Nous sortons → Sortons!
      • We go out → Let's go!
    • Vous sortez → Sortez!
      • You (plural/formal) go out → Get out!
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RE verbs

  • To form the imperative you take the 'tu','nous' and 'vous' forms of the present tense, and remove the 'tu', 'nou' and 'vous'.
    • Tu vends → Vends!
      • You (singular) sell → Sell!
    • Nous vendons → Vendons!
      • We sell → Let's sell!
    • Vous Vendez → Vendez!
      • You (plural/formal) sell → Sell!

Irregulars

There are four irregulars in the imperative:

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Être

  • Tu es → Sois.
  • Nous sommes → Soyons.
  • Vous êtes → Soyez.
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Savoir

  • Tu sais → Sache.
  • Nous savons → Sachons.
  • Vous savez → Sachez.
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Avoir

  • Tu as → Aie.
  • Nous avons → Ayons.
  • Vous avez → Ayez.
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Aller

  • Tu vas → Va.
  • Nous allons → Allons.
  • Vous allez → Allez.

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1Home & Abroad

2Education & Employment

3Personal Life & Relationships

4The World Around Us

5Social Activities, Fitness & Health

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

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