Imperatives and question words
Giving orders and asking questions
- Imperatives give orders or instructions: Sit down. Listen.
- Question words ask for information: What? Where? Who?
- Two everyday tools you'll use a lot.
Imperatives — just the base verb
- Start with the base verb, with no subject: Open the door. Come in.
- Add please to be polite: Please sit down.
- We use them for orders, instructions, and directions.
Which is a correct instruction?
An imperative starts with the base verb, with no subject: “Open the door.”
Translate into English: 请坐下。
Imperative + please: “Please sit down.”
Negative imperatives — Don't
- Put Don't before the verb: Don't be late. Don't worry.
- It tells someone not to do something.
Make it negative: ___ be late! (one word)
Negative imperative = Don't + base verb: “Don't be late!”
Question words
- what (thing), where (place), who (person).
- when (time), why (reason), how (the way).
- What is this? Where do you live? How are you?
Which question word asks for this?
what asks about a thing, where a place, who a person, when a time.
Choose the question word: ___ is your name?
Asking about a name → What: “What is your name?”
Common mistakes
- ❌ Don't to touch it. → ✓ Don't touch it.
- ❌ Where you live? → ✓ Where do you live?
- ❌ What means this word? → ✓ What does this word mean?
Match the question word to the answer it asks for.
The question word tells you what kind of answer to give.
Which question is correct?
Question word + do / does + subject + verb: “Where do you live?”
- Imperative = base verb, no subject (Open the door.).
- Negative = Don't + base verb.
- Question words: what, where, who, when, why, how.
Write one classroom instruction using an imperative (for example: Open your books).
Example: “Please be quiet.” or “Listen carefully.”