L’impératif · trois personnes
1 · One person you call tu
Use the singular command for one person on tu terms. A regular -er verb drops the final s of the present tu form.
Parle un peu plus lentement, s’il te plaît.Speak a little more slowly, please.
Entre, la réunion va commencer.Come in, the meeting is about to start.
2 · A suggestion including yourself
The nous command usually corresponds to English “let’s”. It includes you in the action.
Commençons par la première question.Let’s start with the first question.
Prenons le temps de vérifier.Let’s take the time to check.
3 · One person on vous terms, or a group
The same vous form addresses one person or several. Add s’il vous plaît when it fits the request.
Attendez un instant, s’il vous plaît.Wait a moment, please.
Entrez, nous sommes prêts.Come in, we’re ready.
4 · Many forms come from the present
For finir and prendre, the familiar present forms supply finis, finissons, finissez and prends, prenons, prenez. The subject pronoun disappears.
Finis cette phrase.Finish this sentence.
Prenez votre temps.Take your time.
5 · Learn the irregular sets together
Keep sois, soyons, soyez; aie, ayons, ayez; and sache, sachons, sachez as complete sets. Aller gives va, allons, allez.
Soyez patients, le cours commence bientôt.Be patient, the class starts soon.
Aie confiance, tu connais la réponse.Have confidence, you know the answer.
6 · Use a negative when the action should stop
Place ne and pas around the command. Ne becomes n’ before a vowel. Object pronouns move before the verb in the negative.
Ne parlez pas tous en même temps.Don’t all speak at once.
Ne lui téléphone pas maintenant.Don’t phone him now.