Imperatiiv

Imperatief, or the imperative mood, is a grammatical category used to issue commands, requests, or directions. It is found in many language families and is typically marked by verb forms that differ from the declarative mood. In most languages the subject pronoun is omitted in ordinary second-person imperatives, and the tone may be informal or formal depending on language and context.

Forms and features: Imperatives can be affirmative or negative and may vary by person, number, and politeness level. Some languages maintain distinct second-person forms for informal you and formal you, or include an inclusive “let’s” construction. Verbs may have stem changes or irregular forms. Negation is usually built with a separate particle or adverb, or by using an auxiliary in some languages. The imperative often lacks a subject, though it can be intensified with pronouns for emphasis.

Examples across languages: German uses several parallel forms: du-form Komm!, Geh!, Sei ruhig!; ihr-form Geht!; Sie-form Gehen Sie!; wir-form Gehen wir! English uses the base verb: Open the door. Don’t open the door. Let’s go. Spanish presents informal forms like Ve, No vayas, Vamos, and formal forms like Vayan ustedes. French features Va! Allez! Allons-y! Dutch includes Ga! Gaat! and Laten we gaan. These examples illustrate how the imperative handles direct commands, polite forms, and inclusive exhortations.

Usage notes: The imperative is commonly softened with please or mitigated by context in polite discourse. It can express commands, requests, instructions, or exhortations. In some languages, analogous functions are conveyed by subjunctive or hortative constructions, but the imperative remains the primary direct mood for issuing imperatives. Historical development varies, but the modern imperative is a core element of many languages’ verbal systems.