Imperatives vs Present Simple

An imperative gives a command or instruction using the bare verb with no subject stated. A Present Simple statement always needs a stated subject, and the verb agrees with it. Mixing the two means wrongly adding a subject to a command, or wrongly dropping one from a statement.

Review: Imperatives: Commands & Instructions · Present Simple

Practice sentences

1. ___ the door before you leave. (close) (Close / You close / Closes)

   A direct command uses the bare verb with no subject — Close, not You close.

2. She ___ (close) the shop at 6pm every day. (closes / close / Close)

   A statement needs a stated subject (She) and the verb agrees with it: she closes.

3. ___ careful, the floor is wet! (be) (Be / You are / Is)

   A warning/command uses the bare verb be, no subject — Be careful.

4. He ___ (be) very careful with his tools. (is / be / Be)

   A statement with a stated subject (He) needs the conjugated verb: he is.

5. ___ your homework now. (do) (Do / You do / Does)

   A direct instruction uses the bare verb with no subject — Do your homework.

6. They ___ (do) their homework every evening. (do / does / Do)

   A statement with a plural subject (They) uses the plain form, no -s: they do.

7. ___ me the truth. (tell) (Tell / You tell / Tells)

   A direct request uses the bare verb with no subject — Tell me the truth.

8. She always ___ (tell) the truth. (tells / tell / Tell)

   A statement with a stated subject (She) needs the -s form: she tells.

9. ___ worry about the exam. (don't) (Don't / You don't / Doesn't)

   A negative command uses Don't + bare verb, no subject — Don't worry.

10. He ___ (not/worry) about small things. (doesn't worry / don't worry / not worries)

    A statement with a stated subject (He) needs doesn't, not don't: he doesn't worry.