A2 French GrammarImperative (Commands)
Master the French imperative mood for giving commands, instructions, and suggestions. Learn the three imperative forms (tu, nous, vous), irregular imperatives, and how to use pronouns with commands. The imperative is essential for giving directions, recipes, and everyday instructions.
1Regular Imperative Formation
The imperative has three forms: tu (informal singular), nous (let's), and vous (formal/plural). Form them from the present tense by dropping the subject pronoun. For -er verbs, also drop the final -s from the tu form: tu manges → mange! The nous and vous forms stay the same: mangeons! mangez!
Regular Imperative Forms
| Type | Present | Imperative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| -er (tu) | tu parles | Parle! | Speak! |
| -er (nous) | nous parlons | Parlons! | Let's speak! |
| -er (vous) | vous parlez | Parlez! | Speak! |
| -ir (tu) | tu finis | Finis! | Finish! |
| -re (tu) | tu attends | Attends! | Wait! |
Examples
Mange ta soupe!
Eat your soup!
-er verb: no -s in tu form
Écoutez bien, s'il vous plaît.
Listen carefully, please.
vous form for politeness
Finissons ce projet ensemble.
Let's finish this project together.
nous = let's
Attends une minute!
Wait a minute!
-re verb keeps -s in tu form
2Irregular Imperatives
Some common verbs have irregular imperative forms. Être: sois, soyons, soyez. Avoir: aie, ayons, ayez. Savoir: sache, sachons, sachez. Vouloir: veuille (rare). Aller is regular except tu form keeps the -s before y: vas-y! These irregulars must be memorized as they're used frequently.
Irregular Imperative Forms
| Infinitive | Tu | Nous | Vous |
|---|---|---|---|
| être (to be) | sois | soyons | soyez |
| avoir (to have) | aie | ayons | ayez |
| savoir (to know) | sache | sachons | sachez |
| aller (to go) | va | allons | allez |
Examples
Sois gentil avec ta soeur!
Be nice to your sister!
être → sois (irregular)
N'aie pas peur!
Don't be afraid!
avoir → aie (irregular)
Sachez que je suis désolé.
Know that I am sorry.
savoir → sachez (formal)
Soyons patients.
Let's be patient.
être → soyons (nous form)
3Negative Imperatives
To make a negative command, put ne...pas around the verb: Ne parle pas! (Don't speak!). The tu form of -er verbs keeps the normal imperative form without -s: Ne mange pas. Other negatives like ne...jamais and ne...plus work the same way: N'oublie jamais! (Never forget!).
Negative Commands
| Positive | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Parle! | Ne parle pas! | Don't speak! |
| Mangez! | Ne mangez pas! | Don't eat! |
| Sortons! | Ne sortons pas! | Let's not go out! |
| Oublie! | N'oublie jamais! | Never forget! |
Examples
Ne touche pas à ça!
Don't touch that!
ne...pas around verb
Ne soyez pas en retard.
Don't be late.
negative with irregular verb
N'oublions pas nos clés.
Let's not forget our keys.
negative nous form
Ne fais plus ça!
Don't do that anymore!
ne...plus = no more/longer
4Pronouns with Imperatives
In positive commands, pronouns come after the verb with a hyphen: Regarde-le! (Look at it!). Me and te become moi and toi: Écoute-moi! (Listen to me!). In negative commands, pronouns go before the verb in normal position: Ne le regarde pas! Ne m'écoute pas!
Pronoun Placement
| Type | Structure | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | verb-pronoun | Donne-le-moi! | Give it to me! |
| Positive (moi) | verb-moi | Aide-moi! | Help me! |
| Negative | ne + pronoun + verb + pas | Ne le fais pas! | Don't do it! |
| With y | verb + y (vas-y) | Vas-y! | Go ahead! |
Examples
Donne-moi le livre.
Give me the book.
me → moi after verb
Assieds-toi!
Sit down!
te → toi after reflexive verb
Ne me dis pas ça!
Don't tell me that!
pronoun before verb in negative
Vas-y, commence!
Go ahead, start!
aller keeps -s before y