L’Impératif in French: Rules, Examples, and Tips

The French imperative mood is the bossy side of the language, used for giving orders, making suggestions, and offering advice. It’s like having a secret weapon to navigate everyday situations, from ordering coffee to giving travel tips. Mastering the imperative will make you sound more confident and natural in French. Allez-y!

What is the Impératif Mood in French? 

The impératif, or imperative mood, is the verb form used to give commands or make requests. It’s like the bossy voice of the French language! You use it to tell someone to do something: “Mange!” (Eat!), “Ferme la porte!” (Close the door!).

It’s super handy in everyday situations. Imagine ordering food: “Donnez-moi un café, s’il vous plaît.” (Give me a coffee, please.) Or giving directions: “Tournez à gauche!” (Turn left!). Learning the impératif will make you sound more confident and natural when speaking French.

Understand how to form complex past tenses in French with this detailed guide on the Passé Antérieur – Le Conjugueur.

Key Rules of the French Impératif

Structure: It is formed from the present tense of the verb, but with some key differences.

Main Forms:

• “Tu” form: Used for familiar “you” (friends, family).
  • Example: “Mange!” (Eat!)
• “Nous” form: Used for “we” (inclusive).
  • Example: “Allons-y!” (Let’s go!)
• “Vous” form: Used for formal “you” (strangers, authority figures), “you” plural, and informal “you” in some regions.
  • Example: “Attendez!” (Wait!)

Pronoun Dropping:

• Pronouns (“tu”, “nous”, “vous”) are usually dropped in the impératif.
  • Example: “Mange!” (instead of “Tu mange”)
• Exceptions:
  • For emphasis or clarity, pronouns can be included.
    • Example: “Vous attendez ici!” (You wait here!)
  • “Nous” is often kept for emphasis or to soften the command.
    • Example: “Allons-nous promener?” (Shall we go for a walk?)

Important Notes:

• The negative impératif uses “ne…pas” before the verb.
  • Example: “Ne mange pas!” (Don’t eat!)
• The “vous” form is the same as the “nous” form for most verbs.
• Irregular verbs have unique impératif forms.

Conquering the French Impératif: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. The Regular Route:

• Most verbs: Simply remove the “-er” ending from the present tense “nous” form.
  • Example: Nous parlons → Parle! (Speak!)
• -er verbs: Remove the “-er” and you’re golden.
  • Example: Nous mangeons → Mange! (Eat!)
• -re verbs: Remove the “-re” and add an “-s” for “vous” form.
  • Example: Nous vendons → Vends! (Sell!) (for “vous”)

2. The Irregular Rebels:

These verbs break the rules. Memorization is key!

3. The Pronoun Rebellion:

Pronouns are usually dropped in the impératif.

• Mange! (instead of “Tu mange”)

Common Uses of the Impératif Mood

The French impératif isn’t just for barking orders! While it certainly has a commanding tone, it’s also used for:

• Invitations:
  • Venez dîner! (Come for dinner!)
  • Essayez ce gâteau! (Try this cake!)
  • Regardons un film! (Let’s watch a movie!)
• Advice:
  • Faites attention! (Be careful!)
  • Prenez votre temps! (Take your time!)
  • Utilisez un dictionnaire! (Use a dictionary!)

Everyday Examples:

• Fermez la porte! (Close the door!) – A direct command.
• Allons-y! (Let’s go!) – An enthusiastic invitation.
• Attention à la voiture! (Watch out for the car!) – A warning.
• Dégustez! (Enjoy!) – An invitation to savor food.

While the Impératif can sound direct, even bossy, depending on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. For example, you can use “s’il vous plaît” (please), “voulez-vous” (would you like to), or “pourriez-vous” (could you), to sound a little more polite!

Avoiding Common Mistakes with the Impératif

1. Misusing Negative Commands:

• Error: Placing “ne” after the verb.
• Correct: Ne mange pas! (Don’t eat!)
• Tip: “Ne” always precedes the verb in the negative impératif.

2. Understanding Subject Pronoun Omission:

• Error: Using “tu”, “nous”, or “vous” unnecessarily.
• Correct: Mange! (Eat!) (instead of “Tu mange)
• Tip: Pronouns are usually omitted in the impératif, except for emphasis or clarity.

3. Misplacing Reflexive Pronouns:

• Error: Placing the reflexive pronoun after the verb.
• Correct: Lavez-vous les mains! (Wash your hands!)
• Tip: Reflexive pronouns (se, te, me, etc.) always precede the verb in the impératif.

4. Confusing Verb Conjugations:

• Error: Using incorrect verb forms, especially with irregular verbs.
• Tip: Review and memorize the impératif forms of common irregular verbs (avoir, être, aller, faire, savoir).

5. Incorrect Negation Placement:

• Error: Placing “pas” before “ne”.
• Correct: “Ne mange pas!” (Don’t eat!)
• Tip: Always use “ne…pas” in the correct order.

6. Using Imperative for Incorrect Contexts:

• Error: Using the impératif in overly formal or impolite situations.
• Tip: Use polite forms like “pourriez-vous” (could you), “voulez-vous” (would you like to), or “s’il vous plaît” (please) when appropriate.
  • Example: “Pourriez-vous me passer le sel?” (Could you pass me the salt?) instead of “Passe-moi le sel!”

When NOT to Use the Impératif:

• With superiors or strangers: Use polite forms to show respect.
• In formal situations: Avoid direct commands.
• When giving advice gently: Use softer language like “vous devriez” (you should).

Mastering the Negative Impératif

The negative impératif is used to give negative commands, prohibitions, or warnings.

Formation:

• Place “ne” before the verb.
• Place “pas” after the verb.

Examples:

• Ne parle pas! (Don’t speak!)
• Ne mange pas trop! (Don’t eat too much!)
• Ne vous inquiétez pas! (Don’t worry!)
• Ne touchez pas! (Don’t touch!)

Importance:

• Polite Refusals:
  
  • Ne vous en faites pas. (Don’t worry about it.)
  • Ne vous inquiétez pas pour moi. (Don’t worry about me.)
• Warnings:
  
  • Ne traversez pas la rue! (Don’t cross the street!)
  • Ne vous approchez pas! (Don’t come closer!)

Conclusion

Conquering the French impératif is a rewarding journey. Use flashcards to memorize irregular verbs, practice with a language partner (maybe even at a charming French café?), and try online exercises to hone your skills. Don’t forget to listen to native speakers – it’ll help you understand the nuances of this bossy mood. And when you’re ready to unleash your inner French commander, consider joining La Forêt French Class – they’ll equip you with the linguistic weapons to conquer any conversation!

Strengthen your foundation in French by exploring the core French grammar topics covered in our comprehensive guide.

Did You Know?

• Some regions of France may use the “tu” form of the impératif more frequently with adults than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any literary uses of the Impératif?

Ans: Yes! The imperative can seen being used in the following contexts:

• In poetry and literature, the impératif can create a dramatic or forceful effect.
• It can also be used to directly address the reader.

2. How does the impératif differ from other moods?

Ans: The impératif expresses commands, while other moods describe actions or states.