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General English · A1

The imperative: instructions and requests

Give a short instruction, warning or request using the base verb.

What you will learn

  • Give instructions with a base verb.
  • Use don’t for negative instructions, including don’t be.
  • Make a request more polite with please and a suggestion with let’s.

Buyruq yoki ko‘rsatmada gapni fe’lning asosiy shakli bilan boshlang: Open the door. Odatda you aytilmaydi. Inkor uchun don’t qo‘shing: Don’t run.

An imperative tells someone what to do. Start with the base verb and normally leave out you. The form is the same for one listener or several listeners. For a negative instruction, use don’t + base verb. With an adjective, use be: Be careful. Please softens a request. Let’s + base verb suggests an action for the speaker and others together.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Main patterns
UsePatternExample
instruction / ko‘rsatmabase verbOpen your notebook.
negative / inkordon’t + base verbDon’t close the window.
adjective / sifatbe + adjectiveBe quiet.
negative with bedon’t be + adjectiveDon’t be late.
polite request / iltimosplease + instructionPlease wait here.
suggestion / takliflet’s + base verbLet’s sit outside.
Useful instructions
EnglishUzbek
Turn left.Chapga buriling.
Write your name.Ismingizni yozing.
Listen carefully.Diqqat bilan tinglang.
Don’t touch the pan.Tovaga tegmang.
Be careful.Ehtiyot bo‘ling.
Let’s include the speaker
Positive suggestionNegative suggestion
Let’s walk home.Let’s not take a taxi.
Let’s eat here.Let’s not sit outside.

Examples

Request

Put the cup on the tray, please.

Piyolani patnisga qo‘ying, iltimos.

Negative instruction

Don’t leave your bag here.

Sumkangizni bu yerda qoldirmang.

Warning with be

Be careful with that knife.

U pichoq bilan ehtiyot bo‘ling.

Direction

Take the next street on the right.

Keyingi ko‘chada o‘ngga buriling.

Suggestion

Let’s have lunch together.

Keling, birga tushlik qilamiz.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: Opens the box!

Use: Open the box!

An imperative uses the base verb, never the he/she/it s form.

Avoid: Not sit there.

Use: Don’t sit there.

Use don’t before the base verb for a negative instruction.

Avoid: Don’t late.

Use: Don’t be late.

Late is an adjective, so include be.

Avoid: Let’s to go.

Use: Let’s go.

After let’s, use the base verb without to.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · Choose the instruction

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. ___ your name here, please.
2. ___ the window. It’s very cold.
3. ___ run in the classroom.
4. ___ careful! The floor is wet.
5. Don’t ___ that door.
6. Please ___ here.
7. Let’s ___ a game.
8. Don’t ___ angry.
9. ___ left at the next street.
10. Let’s ___ eat outside. It’s raining.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Complete an instruction

Type only the missing word or words. Read the clue carefully.

1. ___ your book to page five. (open)
2. Don’t ___ on the grass. (walk)
3. ___ quiet, please. (be)
4. ___ touch the hot plate. (do not: contraction)
5. Let’s ___ a photo. (take)
6. Don’t ___ afraid. (be)
7. Please ___ the question again. (read)
8. Let’s ___ go too far. (negative / inkor)
9. ___ the door, please. (hold)
10. Please ___ your hands. (wash)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Match the situation

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Ask someone to sit / O‘tirishni so‘rang.
2. Warn someone not to touch a wire / Simga tegmaslikni ayting.
3. Suggest a walk together / Birga sayr qilishni taklif qiling.
4. Ask someone not to be late / Kechikmaslikni so‘rang.
5. Give a short direction / Qisqa yo‘l ko‘rsating.
6. Ask for quiet / Jimlikni so‘rang.
7. Suggest staying inside / Ichkarida qolishni taklif qiling.
8. Give an instruction to a whole class / Butun sinfga ko‘rsatma.
9. Ask someone not to worry / Xavotir olmaslikni so‘rang.
10. Tell someone to take their keys / Kalitlarini olishni ayting.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • Positive: base verb. Negative: don’t + base verb.
  • With adjectives, use be or don’t be.
  • Please makes requests softer. Let’s includes the speaker.
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