How do I form the imperative in English?

Use the base form of the verb with no subject, such as Open the door. For a negative command, add don't before the verb, such as Don't touch that. For a suggestion that includes yourself, use let's, such as Let's go.

Does this imperative test have answers?

Yes. All 50 questions in the five exercises show the right answer and a short, simple explanation when you check them. Nothing is hidden, the test is completely free, and you do not need to make an account before you start.

What is the difference between don't and let's?

Don't tells someone else not to do something, such as Don't run. Let's suggests doing something together, including the speaker, such as Let's go. Don't gives a firm command; let's makes a friendly suggestion for both people to follow together.

Does the imperative ever use a subject?

No. The imperative drops the subject you completely and uses only the base verb, such as Open the door, not You open the door.

How do I make a negative imperative?

Add don't before the base verb, such as Don't touch that. Words like no or not on their own cannot make a negative command in English.

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The Imperative – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

Exercises:

Choose the correct imperative form to complete each sentence.

Example

✅ Correct	❌ Wrong
Open the door, please.	To open the door, please.

Question 1 of 10

___ the door, please.

Keep practising

Adjectives: Word Order and Basic Rules

Adverbs of Manner: Quickly, Well, Carefully

Articles: A, An, The or No Article

Conjunctions: And, But, Or and Because

Want the rules first?Read the explanation: The Imperative – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers →

▸Answer key

Practice Questions & Answers

All A1 questions for “The Imperative – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Commands, Negatives and Suggestions: Choosing the Right Imperative

1. ___ the door, please.
- A. Open ✓
- B. You open
- C. To open
- D. Opens
Answer: Open
The imperative uses the base verb, with no subject.
2. ___ touch the stove! It's hot.
- A. Not
- B. Don't ✓
- C. No
- D. Doesn't
Answer: Don't
A negative command needs don't before the base verb.

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Odd One Out: Imperative Mistakes

1. Which option does not belong?
- A. Opens the window now. ✓
- B. Open the window now.
- C. Close the window now.
- D. Shut the window now.
Answer: Opens the window now.
An imperative uses the base verb, with no -s: Open the window.
2. Which option does not belong?
- A. Open the door, please.
- B. To open the door, please. ✓
- C. Close the door, please.
- D. Shut the door, please.
Answer: To open the door, please.
An imperative never uses to before the verb: Open the door.
3. Which option does not belong?
- A. Don't touch the pan!
- B. Don't touch the oven!
- C. Don't touch the knife!
- D. No touch the stove! ✓
Answer: No touch the stove!
A negative command needs don't, not no: Don't touch the stove.
4. Which option does not belong?
- A. Don't run in the hallway.
- B. Not run in the hallway. ✓
- C. Don't shout in the hallway.
- D. Don't push in the hallway.
Answer: Not run in the hallway.
A negative command needs don't, not not alone: Don't run.
5. Which option does not belong?
- A. Don't panic about it.
- B. Don't think about it.
- C. Doesn't worry about it. ✓
- D. Don't worry about it.
Answer: Doesn't worry about it.
A negative command needs don't, not doesn't: Don't worry.
6. Which option does not belong?
- A. Lets go to the park. ✓
- B. Let's go to the park.
- C. Let's play a game.
- D. Let's have lunch.
Answer: Lets go to the park.
Let's needs an apostrophe; lets is a different word entirely.
7. Which option does not belong?
- A. Let's take a break.
- B. Let's stop here.
- C. Let's rest now.
- D. We let's take a break. ✓
Answer: We let's take a break.
Let's already includes the speaker; it never takes an extra subject.
8. Which option does not belong?
- A. Be careful on the stairs.
- B. Being careful on the stairs. ✓
- C. Be quiet on the stairs.
- D. Be quick on the stairs.
Answer: Being careful on the stairs.
With be, the imperative is just be, not being.
9. Which option does not belong?
- A. Be quiet, please.
- B. Be patient, please.
- C. You are quiet, please. ✓
- D. Be careful, please.
Answer: You are quiet, please.
A command needs the imperative be, not a statement with you are.
10. Which option does not belong?
- A. To wash your hands first. ✓
- B. Wash your hands first.
- C. Dry your hands first.
- D. Clean your hands first.
Answer: To wash your hands first.
An imperative never uses to before the verb: Wash your hands.

The Imperative – A1 Grammar Test (with Answers)

The Imperative – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

___ the door, please.

Keep practising

Adjectives: Word Order and Basic Rules

Adverbs of Manner: Quickly, Well, Carefully

Articles: A, An, The or No Article

Conjunctions: And, But, Or and Because

Practice Questions & Answers

Commands, Negatives and Suggestions: Choosing the Right Imperative

More A1 English Practice

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Odd One Out: Imperative Mistakes

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From a Statement to an Imperative

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