Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 35 · A1

Do this! Don't do that! Let's do this!

The imperative is the base form on its own (Come here, Sit down) for telling or asking people to do things; don't + base form says not to; let's + base form makes a suggestion that includes you, and let's not is the negative.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 21 minutes

In this lesson

The imperative: Come here! Be careful!A2 screens of questions
Don't do that!B2 screens of questions
Let's do this!C3 screens of questions
Imperative or let's?D2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

The imperative: Come here! Be careful!

The imperative is the base form of the verb, with no subject: come, sit, wait, be, have.

We use it to tell people to do things, to give instructions, to warn, and to offer or invite. Add please to make it politer; leave please off when the kettle is boiling over.

  • Come here, please.
  • Sit down and make yourself at home.
  • Wait for me!
  • Turn left at the lights, then take the second right.
  • Be careful! The floor's wet.
  • Have a biscuit.
  • Enjoy your holiday!

Point A · Exercise 35.1 · part 1 of 2

Read the situation and complete the sentence with one of these verbs: be, close, have, look, sit, turn.

Use these

beclosehavelooksitturn

  1. Example

    A friend comes into your house and is standing by the sofa.

    Sit down. Make yourself comfortable.

    AnswerSit down. Make yourself comfortable.

  2. Your friend is about to step into the road and a bus is coming.

    careful! There's a bus coming.

  3. It's cold and the window is open.

    the window, please. It's freezing.

  4. You are offering a guest a plate of cake.

    a piece of cake.

  5. You are giving a driver directions.

    right at the church.

Point A · Exercise 35.1 · part 2 of 2

Read the situation and complete the sentence with one of these verbs: be, close, have, look, sit, turn.

Use these

beclosehavelooksitturn

  1. There is a rainbow over the hills.

    at that rainbow!

Point B of 4

Don't do that!

The negative imperative is don't + base form. With be, it is don't be.

  • Don't touch that. It's hot.
  • Don't forget your keys.
  • Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
  • Don't be late. The coach leaves at eight.
  • Don't be silly.

Point B · Exercise 35.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with don't + one of these verbs: be, forget, lose, shout, touch, worry.

Use these

beforgetloseshouttouchworry

  1. Example

    Don't forget your passport. You'll need it at the airport.

    AnswerDon't forget your passport. You'll need it at the airport.

  2. the paint. It's still wet.

  3. . I'm not deaf.

  4. late. The film starts at seven.

  5. Here's the key. it.

Point B · Exercise 35.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with don't + one of these verbs: be, forget, lose, shout, touch, worry.

Use these

beforgetloseshouttouchworry

  1. about the exam. You'll be fine.

Point C of 4

Let's do this!

Let's (let us) + base form is a suggestion for a group that includes you. The negative is let's not.

Answer a let's suggestion with Yes, let's or No, let's not.

  • It's a lovely day. Let's go for a walk.
  • I'm starving. Let's get a takeaway.
  • Let's not go out tonight. I'm tired.
  • "Shall we get a taxi?" "No, let's walk. It isn't far."
  • "Let's watch a film." "Yes, let's."

Point C · Exercise 35.3 · part 1 of 2

Make a suggestion with Let's ... or Let's not ... .

  1. Example

    It's a lovely day.

    (go to the beach)

    Let's go to the beach.

    AnswerLet's go to the beach.

  2. Everybody is hungry.

    (have something to eat)

  3. It's pouring with rain.

    (not / walk / get a taxi)

  4. The party is boring.

    (go home)

  5. You are all very tired.

    (not / go out tonight)

Point C · Exercise 35.3 · part 2 of 2

Make a suggestion with Let's ... or Let's not ... .

  1. There's a good film on telly.

    (watch it)

Point C · Exercise 35.4

Answer with Yes, let's ... or No, let's not ... and a different idea.

  1. Example

    A: Shall we drive? B: No, let's walk. It isn't far. (walk)

    AnswerShall we drive? No, let's walk. It isn't far.

  2. A: Shall we go out for a meal? B: Yes, . I don't want to cook. (go)

  3. A: Shall we watch the news? B: No, . It's always depressing. (not / watch)

  4. A: Shall we get the bus? B: No, . It's quicker. (get the train)

  5. A: Shall we stay in tonight? B: Yes, . I'm exhausted. (stay in)

Point D of 4

Imperative or let's?

Go home tells somebody else to go. Let's go home suggests we all go, you included.

  • Go home. You look tired. (you, not me)
  • Let's go home. We're all tired. (all of us)

Point D · Exercise 35.5 · part 1 of 2

Imperative or let's? Write the right form.

  1. Example

    You look tired. Go (Go / Let's go) to bed.

    AnswerYou look tired. Go to bed.

  2. We're all tired. (Go / Let's go) home.

  3. "I've got a headache." " (Take / Let's take) an aspirin."

  4. It's Mum's birthday on Friday. (Buy / Let's buy) her some flowers.

  5. (Don't / Let's not) be so rude to your sister!

Point D · Exercise 35.5 · part 2 of 2

Imperative or let's? Write the right form.

  1. (Don't / Let's not) tell anyone about our plans yet.

Lesson 35 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I used to ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. The imperative: Come here! Be careful!–Not checkedB. Don't do that!–Not checkedC. Let's do this!–Not checkedD. Imperative or let's?–Not checked