Imperatives for directions
Go, Turn, Take — the imperative for giving directions, using Unit 22 words.
When we give directions, we use the imperative: the base verb with no subject. All the sentences below use the direction words from this unit.
A — How it works
The imperative gives an instruction: Go straight. Turn left. Take the second road.
1) Positive imperative — the instruction
Base verb first: Go / Turn / Take / Walk.
- Go straight for two minutes.
- Turn left at the bank.
- Turn right after the park.
- Take the first street on the corner.
2) Negative imperative — Don't…
Use Don't + base verb to say what NOT to do.
- Don't turn right here — turn left.
- Don't go straight; the café is opposite the library.
- Don't walk — it's far, so take the bus.
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- B — Quick reference
- Remember
Try it: Choose the correct form
Select the best option.
- ___ left at the bank.
(a) Turn (b) Turns (c) Turning - ___ straight for two minutes.
(a) Go (b) Goes (c) Going - ___ turn right here — turn left.
(a) Don't (b) Not (c) No - Take the first street on the ___.
(a) corner (b) foot (c) far - Polite: ___ go straight on.
(a) Please (b) You (c) To - The imperative has no ___.
(a) subject (b) verb (c) meaning
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 3 exercises; the other 2 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →