{"id":632,"date":"2024-01-31T16:52:40","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/?p=632"},"modified":"2024-09-12T13:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T11:44:27","slug":"the-imperative-in-french-how-to-conjugate-verbs-in-imperative-when-do-you-have-to-use-the-imperative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-imperative-in-french-how-to-conjugate-verbs-in-imperative-when-do-you-have-to-use-the-imperative\/","title":{"rendered":"The Imperative in French: How to Conjugate Verbs in Imperative? When do You Have to Use the Imperative?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When learning French, there are certain things that you just have to know. How to conjugate verbs is one of those things for French students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are more difficult tenses, such as the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-10-irregular-verbs-in-the-french-subjunctive-mood\/\" target=\"_blank\">subjunctive<\/a>, and easier ones, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/futur-proche-in-french\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">future proche<\/a> tense or, as we&rsquo;ll see now, the <strong>imperative<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1 uagb-toc__collapse uagb-block-68a5b402     \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Table of contents<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M192 384c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L192 306.8l137.4-137.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0s12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C208.4 380.9 200.2 384 192 384z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-toc__separator'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#how-to-form-the-conjugation-of-the-imperative-in-french\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">How to form the conjugation of the imperative in French?<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#imperative-for-the-french-verbs-of-the-1st-group-er\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Imperative for the French verbs of the 1st group (-er)<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#imperative-for-other-french-verbs\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Imperative for other French verbs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#table-of-conjugation-of-the-imperative-in-french\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Table of conjugation of the imperative in French<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#irregular-verbs-in-the-french-imperative\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Irregular verbs in the French imperative<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#the-four-irregular-verbs-in-the-french-imperative\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">The four irregular verbs in the French imperative<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#small-exceptions-in-the-spelling-of-the-imperative-in-french\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Small exceptions in the spelling of the imperative in French<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#the-french-verb-aller-to-imperative\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">The French verb &quot;aller&quot; to imperative<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#but-sometimes-in-the-imperative-we-put-the-final-s\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">But sometimes, in the imperative, we put the final -s!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#when-do-you-have-to-use-the-french-imperative\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">When do you have to use the French imperative?<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#imperative-to-give-orders\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Imperative to give orders<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#imperative-to-make-requests-or-to-give-advices\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Imperative to make requests or to give advices<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#imperative-to-give-instructions\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Imperative to give instructions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#french-quiz\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">\u2714\ufe0f French QUIZ<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#french-imperative\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">French imperative<\/a><\/li><\/ul><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#articles-that-might-interest-you\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Articles that might interest you:<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"L\u2019imp\u00e9ratif en fran\u00e7ais \ud83d\udcaa\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LfhaYPYXGzE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-af8c0edc alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-35a8548f\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/img-pdf-bonus-french.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/img-pdf-bonus-french.png 600w, https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/img-pdf-bonus-french-300x250.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-64fd7e53\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>PDF Bonus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have prepared a <strong>free PDF<\/strong> to help you <strong>master the imperative in French<\/strong>. <br>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/4aNFP0J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download it for free<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end, you will have <strong>exercises <\/strong>to practice with the <strong>correction<\/strong>. \ud83d\udc4d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, we will go over the <strong>imperative mood in French<\/strong> and when you need to use it. Trust me, once you understand this concept, your French will improve dramatically! So let&rsquo;s get started&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you listen to French people talk, especially if, for practice, you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/who-are-the-most-popular-french-youtubers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">listen to French-speaking Youtubeurs<\/a>, you&rsquo;ll notice that they use the imperative a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The French imperative is a verb form that is used to :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>give <strong>orders<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make <strong>requests<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or give <strong>instructions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The imperative is conjugated <strong>without pronouns<\/strong>. The conjugation of the verb is different depending on whether you are addressing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>one person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or more than one person.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to form the conjugation of the imperative in French?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imperative for the French verbs of the 1st group (-er)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For verbs of the <strong>1st group<\/strong>, that is, verbs ending in<strong> -er<\/strong> (<strong>90% of verbs in French<\/strong>), here is how to form the imperative, take the stem of the verb (<strong>the same as in present tense<\/strong>) and add the following endings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>-e<\/strong> for singular verbs addressed to <strong>tu<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>-ons<\/strong> for plural verbs addressed to <strong>nous<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>-ez<\/strong> for plural verbs addressed to <strong>vous<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the conjugation of the verb <strong>parler <\/strong>(to speak) in the imperative would be as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Parle <\/strong>(singular, addressed to <strong>tu<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Parlons <\/strong>(plural, addressed to <strong>nous<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Parlez<\/strong> (plural, addressed to <strong>vous<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here you have to be careful not to put a final <strong>-s<\/strong> for the form <strong>tu<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udccd <em>In the French conjugation, this is the only exception where we don&rsquo;t put a final <\/em><strong><em>-s<\/em><\/strong><em> to the form <\/em><strong><em>tu<\/em><\/strong><em>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imperative for other French verbs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For other French verbs, the formation of the imperative is <strong>based on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/10-dangerous-french-verbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">formation of the present<\/a>.<\/strong> This means that if you already know the present tense, then you know the imperative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udccd Be careful with the final -s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the verb you are conjugating has the <strong>final (e) sound<\/strong>, then you <strong>don&rsquo;t put an -s<\/strong>. It&rsquo;s <strong>the same rule as for the verbs of the 1st group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The verb <strong>ouvrir<\/strong> (to open).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the present tense \u2192<strong> j&rsquo;ouvre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So in the imperative :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ouvr<strong>e<\/strong> !<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ouvr<strong>ons<\/strong> !<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ouvr<strong>ez<\/strong> !<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>But, as we will see later, there are small exceptions&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yes, it&rsquo;s French \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#60bceb\"><strong>Do you like learning French with videos?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Receive <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/learn-french-fun.com\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\">our free video newsletter<\/a> every Friday in your e-mail box. You will get <strong>3 \u00ab\u00a0Tips &amp; Tricks\u00a0\u00bb<\/strong> on <strong>grammar<\/strong>, <strong>vocabulary<\/strong>, <strong>phonetics <\/strong>or <strong>French culture<\/strong>.<br>\ud83d\udc49\ud83d\udc49 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn-french-fun.com\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sign up now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/learn-french-fun.com\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/BLOG-newsletter.jpg\" alt=\"Every Friday afternoon, a French-language video delivered straight to your inbox, with three tips and tricks on the French language.\" class=\"wp-image-1882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/BLOG-newsletter.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/BLOG-newsletter-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of conjugation of the imperative in French<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Pr\u00e9sent<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Imp\u00e9ratif<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>parler<\/strong><\/td><td>tu parles<br>nous parlons<br>vous parlez<\/td><td>Parl<strong>e<\/strong> ! Ne parle pas !<br>Parl<strong>ons<\/strong> ! Ne parlons pas !<br>Parl<strong>ez<\/strong> ! Ne parlez pas !<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>attendre<\/strong><\/td><td>tu attends<br>nous attendons<br>vous attendez<\/td><td>Attend<strong>s<\/strong> ! N\u2019attends pas !<br>Attend<strong>ons<\/strong> ! N\u2019attendons pas !<br>Attend<strong>ez<\/strong> ! N\u2019attendez pas !<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>se doucher<\/strong><\/td><td>Tu te douches&nbsp;<br>Nous nous douchons<br>Vous vous douchez<\/td><td>Douche-<strong>toi<\/strong> ! Ne <strong>te<\/strong> douche pas !<br>Douchons-<strong>nous<\/strong> ! Ne <strong>nous<\/strong> douchons pas !<br>Douchez-<strong>vous<\/strong> ! Ne <strong>vous<\/strong> douchez pas !<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tableau-conjugaison-imperatif.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/learn-french-fun.com\/50verbes\/encart-the-50-verbs-most-used-by-the-french.php\" style=\"width:100%; height: 700px;\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irregular verbs in the French imperative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, otherwise French would not be French, there are irregular verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there are two pieces of good news:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first is that there are only <strong>four<\/strong> irregular verbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The second, it will help you with the <strong>subjunctive<\/strong>, because the subjunctive of three of these four irregular verbs is <strong>identical to the imperative<\/strong>! You will have already done fast half of the work for the subjunctive \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\ude00<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The four irregular verbs in the French imperative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the verbs: <strong>\u00eatre <\/strong>(to be), <strong>avoir <\/strong>(to have), <strong>savoir <\/strong>(to know), <strong>vouloir<\/strong> (to want).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>\u00eatre<\/strong><\/td><td>Sois !<br>Soyons !<br>Soyez !<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>avoir<\/strong><\/td><td>Aie !<br>Ayons !<br>Ayez !<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>savoir<\/strong><\/td><td>Sache !<br>Sachons !<br>Sachez !<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>vouloir<\/strong><\/td><td>Veux !<br>Voulons !<br>Voulez ! (<em>sustained form:<\/em> <strong>veuillez !<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/imperatif-verbes-irreguliers.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small exceptions in the spelling of the imperative in French<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The French verb \u00ab\u00a0aller\u00a0\u00bb to imperative<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>We have already seen in the rule that we do not put a final <strong>-s<\/strong> to verbs ending in <strong>-e<\/strong>. This is the case for all the verbs of the 1st group and the case of some verbs of the 2nd and 3rd group &#8211; <em>the other verbs in French<\/em> &#8211; which have their present tense with an <strong>-e<\/strong> in the <strong>je<\/strong> form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, there is the exception of the verb <strong>aller<\/strong> (to go).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>tu<\/strong> form of the verb <strong>aller<\/strong> in the imperative is: <strong>Va !<\/strong> <em>Without -s<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But sometimes, in the imperative, we put the final -s!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the case when the imperative verb is followed by the pronouns \u00ab\u00a0<strong>en<\/strong>\u00a0\u00bb or \u00ab\u00a0<strong>y<\/strong>\u00ab\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To take the example of the verb <strong>aller<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Va !<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Va<strong>s<\/strong>-y !<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/aller-imperatif.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or the verb <strong>parler<\/strong> (to speak) :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Parle !<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parle<strong>s<\/strong>-en !<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/parler-imperatif.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When do you have to use the French imperative?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The imperative is widely used in <strong>everyday life<\/strong> by the French. It is often summarized as the idea of giving orders, but not only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is used in these three cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>give <strong>orders<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make <strong>requests<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or give <strong>instructions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imperative to give orders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/26u4dvvh7xkJ8UdWw\" width=\"480\" height=\"179\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Sir, yes Sir!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every parent knows this, but until the age of 8-9, 80% of parent-child interactions consist of prohibitions. And the imperative is perfect to express this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mange <\/strong>! (Eat!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finis ton assiette<\/strong> ! (Finish your plate!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ne touche pas<\/strong> <strong>\u00e7a, c&rsquo;est dangereux<\/strong> ! (Don&rsquo;t touch that, it&rsquo;s dangerous!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Attends<\/strong> ! (Wait!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Va dormir<\/strong> ! (Go to sleep!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/imperatif-enfants.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imperative to make requests or to give advices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To give advice, the use of the imperative is shared equally with the conditional. Traditionally, French students are taught that <strong>advice in French<\/strong> is given with the <strong>conditional<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tu devrais prendre ton parapluie car il risque de pleuvoir.<\/strong> (You should take your umbrella because it might rain).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>But in everyday language, the imperative is widely used for the same function:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prends ton parapluie car il risque de pleuvoir.<\/strong> (Take your umbrella because it might rain).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/imperatif-conseil.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imperative to give instructions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The last use of the French imperative is to give a <strong>list of instructions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like to cook &#8211; you&rsquo;re learning French, so I&rsquo;m sure you at least like gastronomy \ud83d\ude02 &#8211; you&rsquo;ll find many recipes written using the imperative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prends ceci<\/strong>&#8230; (Take this)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coupe cela<\/strong>&#8230; (Cut that)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mets ceci dans cela<\/strong>&#8230; (Put this in that)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/imperatif-instructions.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or if you like building things in kit form&#8230; Even if manufacturers are more and more content to just put diagrams without a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"KitKat Nestl\u00e9 - la catapulte &quot;have a break have a KitKat&quot; Pub 30s\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kud_TMvM1Rs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-b51c1be7 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-f082126f\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-659fc786\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2714\ufe0f French QUIZ<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-d17d58ba\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">French imperative<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-2dae02bb\">\n<p><em>Before leaving, let&rsquo;s take this little quiz together to see if you understand<\/em> \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-hdq-quiz-block hdq-quiz-gutenberg\"><div class = \"hdq_quiz_wrapper\"><a href = \"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-imperative-in-french-how-to-conjugate-verbs-in-imperative-when-do-you-have-to-use-the-imperative\/\" rel=\"noamphtml\" class = \"hdq_quiz_start hdq_button button\" role = \"button\" title = \"D\u00e9marrer le quiz\">D\u00e9marrer le quiz<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The imperative is an <strong>important part of the French language<\/strong>, and it\u2019s one that you will definitely want to be familiar with. It can be used in a variety of situations, from giving <strong>orders <\/strong>to making <strong>requests <\/strong>or giving <strong>instructions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to form the conjugation of the imperative, you need to know which group the verb belongs to. For verbs that end in -er, the conjugation is simple \u2013 all you have to do is add on the appropriate ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other groups of verbs, as well as some irregular verbs, that also follow specific rules when it comes to forming the imperative mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So study up on these rules and put them into practice so you can start using this essential part of French grammar.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buymeacoffee.com\/learnfrenchfun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bmc-encart-blog.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bmc-encart-blog.png 600w, https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bmc-encart-blog-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Articles that might interest you: <\/h3>\n\n\n<ul class=\"lcp_catlist\" id=\"lcp_instance_0\"><li class=\"current\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-imperative-in-french-how-to-conjugate-verbs-in-imperative-when-do-you-have-to-use-the-imperative\/\">The Imperative in French: How to Conjugate Verbs in Imperative? When do You Have to Use the Imperative?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-10-irregular-verbs-in-the-french-subjunctive-mood\/\">The 10 Irregular Verbs in the French Subjunctive Mood<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/depuis-pendant-en-ilya-dans\/\">Depuis, pendant, en, il y a, dans<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/all-the-secrets-of-the-french-gerund\/\">All the secrets of the French gerund!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/french-verb-moods\/\">French verb moods<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-tonic-pronouns-in-french\/\">How to use the tonic pronouns in French?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/how-to-use-en-and-y-pronoun-in-french\/\">How to use \u00ab\u00a0en\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0y\u00a0\u00bb pronoun in French?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/difference-between-dont-and-duquel-in-french\/\">Difference between DONT and DUQUEL in French<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/10-dangerous-french-verbs\/\"><strong>10 common French verbs conjugated in the present tense. Beware of traps!<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/the-direct-object-complement-in-french-c-o-d-and-direct-complement-pronouns-le-la-les\/\">The Direct Object Complement in French (C.O.D.) and direct complement pronouns (le, la, les\u2026)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You might be asking yourself, \u00ab\u00a0When do I have to use the imperative in French?\u00a0\u00bb Well, wonder no more! In this blog post, we&rsquo;ll go over the basics of how to conjugate verbs in the imperative form, and when it&rsquo;s appropriate to use this particular verb tense. So put on your learning cap and let&rsquo;s get started!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":639,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-grammar"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1.jpg",1100,622,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1-300x170.jpg",300,170,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1-768x434.jpg",768,434,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1-1024x579.jpg",1024,579,true],"hd_qu_size2":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1.jpg",400,226,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1.jpg",1100,622,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/french-imperative-for-gastronomy-1.jpg",1100,622,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Christian","author_link":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/author\/christian\/"},"uagb_comment_info":15,"uagb_excerpt":"You might be asking yourself, \"When do I have to use the imperative in French?\" Well, wonder no more! In this blog post, we'll go over the basics of how to conjugate verbs in the imperative form, and when it's appropriate to use this particular verb tense. So put on your learning cap and let's\u2026","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=632"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2458,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions\/2458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.learn-french-fun.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}