English for fun: Imperative Sentence

Definition of an imperative sentence

An imperative sentence:

can end with a period or an exclamaion mark depending on the degree of the command

containing the word "please" should end with a period

is commonly used in speech but not often in writing

is a sentence which is used to give orders, advice, instructions, requests and commands. An exclamation mark (!) is used at the end of this sentence when there is a strong force to the expression, but for the other ‘not so strong expressions’ a full stop (.) is used.

e.g.
Go away.
Shut up and listen to me!
Help me with these bags, please.
In the examples above, the subject part is not mentioned, i.e. no noun or pronoun is used before the predicate part because any ‘order, advice, command, request, etc.’ is given to the listener (the 2^nd person pronoun – YOU) and so, no need to mention it directly.
The subject of the imperative sentence ‘you’ is not mentioned but understood.
However, when the listener is not paying any attention to the speaker or doing something else so there is no chance of knowing that he/she is being addressed, the speaker may use the pronoun ‘you’ to get that person’s attention.
e.g.
“You there, don’t spit on the floor!”
This way of addressing somebody is considered rude by some people; therefore, we must be careful not to offend others!

Examples of imperative sentences

Be quiet!
Please hand in your homework.
"Think Small"
(slogan of Volkswagen)

"Do not on any account attempt to write on both sides of the paper at once."
(W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman, 1066 and All That. Methuen, 1930)

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
(Mark Twain)

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back."
(Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")

"Seek simplicity, and distrust it."
(Alfred North Whitehead)

We can use the imperative to give a direct order.