imperativeperiphrastic

Imperativeperiphrastic is a term used in linguistic descriptions to refer to periphrastic constructions that encode imperative meaning. The expression is not universally standardized and appears in varying hyphenations (imperative periphrastic). It describes a mood or directive expressed by more than one word rather than a single bare verb, often involving an auxiliary, modal, or particle combined with a main verb to yield a command, exhortation, or instruction.

Typical realizations are most often English examples with the particle let: "Let him go," "Let us begin." In these cases the main verb remains in its base form, while the preceding "let" introduces the directive force. Other languages may employ forms with an auxiliary plus participle or a modal-like word to signal a command, politeness, or obligation, yielding a periphrastic imperative even when a dedicated imperative form is absent or suppressed.

Function and nuance: Periphrastic imperatives can convey force, inclusivity ("let us"), politeness, spontaneity, or hedging. They may also express prohibition or exhortation through negation with "do not" or "let..." depending on language.

Cross-linguistic notes: Periphrastic imperatives occur in languages with rich particle systems, or where the imperative is expressed via a jussive mood or hortative constructions. They are contrasted with simple imperatives and other directive moods.

See also: imperative mood, periphrasis, jussive, hortative.