Impératif (Imperative)

It is used to give commands, or polite instructions, or to make request or suggestions; these can be positive (affirmative imperative 'do!') or negative('don't!').The imperative is the only personal verb form that does not require a subject; the verb conjugation alone tells you who is being ordered to do or not to do something. In addition, the imperative exists only for three grammatical persons instead of the normal six.

-mange ta soupe!(eat your soup)
-n'aie pas peur!(don't be afraid!)
-partons!(let's go!)
-entrez(come in!)
-faites attention!(be careful!)
-n'hesitez pas!(don't hesitate!)
-tournez à droite à la poste(turn right at the post office)

• The imperative has only three forms, which are the same as the tu, nous, and vous forms of the present tense, but wothout the subject pronoun

Note:

1. the -s of the tu form of -er verbs is dropped, except when y or en follow the verb

   -parle-lui!(speak to him)   But    -parles-en avec lui(speak to him about it)
   -achète de sucre!(buy some sucre!)  But   -achèttes-en un kilo(buy a kilo of it)
   

2. the destination between the subject pronouns tu and vous applies to the tu and vous forms of the imperative

   -prends ta soeur avec toi, Alain(take your sister with you, Alain)
   -prenez le plat du jour, Monsieur ; c'est du poulet rôti(take the dish of the day, sir; it's roast chicken)
   -les enfant, prenez vos imperméables; il va pleuvoir(children, take your raincoats; it is going to rain)
   

• Negative commands the verbs is placed between ne and pas

    -ne ais pas ça!(don't do that!)
    -ne dites rien!(don't say anything!)
  

• imperative with object pronouns, in positive command object pronouns comes after the verb and are attached to it by a hyphen. In negative commands, they come before the verb

    -dites-moi ce qui s'est passé(tell me what happened)
    -attendons-les!(let's wait for them)
    -prnds-enbein soin, ne l'abîme pas!(take good care of it, don't damage it)
  

• Imperative of (Verbes pronominaux (Reflexive verbs)), position of the reflexive pronoun of reflexive verbs is the same as that of the objaect pronouns

    -tais-toi!(be quiet!)
    -levez-vous!(get up!)
    -méfiez-vous de lui(don't trust him)
    -arrêtons-nous ici(let us stop here)
    -ne nous plaignons pas(let us not complain)
    -ne t'approche pas plus(don't come any closer!)
  

• Alternative to the imperative

  1. Infintive(Verbes infinitifs (Infinitive verbs)) is often used instead of the imperative in written instruction and in recipes

     -s'adresser au concierge(see the caretaker)
     -ne pas fumer(no smoking)
     -verser le lait et bien mélanger(pour in the milk and mix well)
     

  2. Subjunctive; as the imperative has no third person (singular or plural), que + subjunctive is used for giving orders in the third person

      -que personne ne me dérange!(don't let anyone disturb me!)
      -qu'il entre!(let him come in)
      -qu'elle parte, je m'en fiche!(if she leaves, I don't care)