Imperative
French: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 7.3.6
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.
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!
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!
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:
Être
- Tu es → Sois.
- Nous sommes → Soyons.
- Vous êtes → Soyez.
Savoir
- Tu sais → Sache.
- Nous savons → Sachons.
- Vous savez → Sachez.
Avoir
- Tu as → Aie.
- Nous avons → Ayons.
- Vous avez → Ayez.
Aller
- Tu vas → Va.
- Nous allons → Allons.
- Vous allez → Allez.
Test yourself on Imperative
'Partir' is the verb 'to leave' in French. How do you say 'leave!' in French?
How do you say 'let us stay humble' in French?