French 2 / Unit 9: Health, the Body and Commands
9.4 The Imperative
Notes
The imperative gives commands. Use the tu, nous and vous forms of the present tense, but without the subject pronoun.
| Verb | tu | nous | vous |
|---|---|---|---|
| parler | parle | parlons | parlez |
| finir | finis | finissons | finissez |
| attendre | attends | attendons | attendez |
| aller | va | allons | allez |
| être | sois | soyons | soyez |
| avoir | aie | ayons | ayez |
- For -er verbs (and aller), the tu form drops the final s: Tu parles → Parle! Tu vas → Va!
- The nous command means "Let's": Mangeons! Allons au parc!
- Negative commands: ne ... pas around the verb: Ne parle pas. N'attendez pas.
- Reflexive: Lève-toi! (affirmative) / Ne te lève pas! (negative).
Practice
What is the tu command of "manger"?
-er verbs drop the s in the tu imperative.
What does "Allons au cinéma!" mean?
The nous imperative means Let's.
Which is the correct command to tell your teacher not to forget?
Use the vous form with a teacher and n' before a vowel.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 9 test.