Grammar in focus
Form
| Affirmative | Negative | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| base verb Open the door. | Don't + base verb Don't open the door. | Let's + base verb Let's go! · Let's not go. |
| Be + adjective Be quiet. | Don't be + adjective Don't be late. |
Use
- Orders and instructions: Add two eggs. Turn left.
- Advice and warnings: Drink more water. Watch out!
- Invitations: Come in. Sit down.
- Signs and notices: Keep off the grass. Push. No smoking.
Politeness
Add please (Please sit down / Sit down, please) or use do for emphasis (Do come in!). For a very polite request: Could you open the window, please?
Watch out
- The subject (you) is understood and not said.
- No -s, no -ing, no to:
Opens your book→ Open your book. - Negative: Don't, never
Doesn'torNot.
En español
El imperativo usa el verbo base: Abre la puerta = Open the door. Negativo: Don't + verbo. Para sugerir: Let's… (vamos a…).
US vs UK
This book teaches American English. These are the differences you will notice with British English on this topic.
Americans say Let's not. Don't let's is informal British.
En EE. UU. se dice Let's not. Don't let's es británico informal.
Common American goodbyes use imperatives.
Las despedidas americanas usan imperativos.
Go ahead (US) vs go on (UK) to encourage someone.
Go ahead (EE. UU.) vs go on (Reino Unido).
Exam practice
- Five parts, like a certification exam: multiple choice, open cloze, error identification, sentence transformation and US vs UK.
- Typed answers accept American spelling and contractions (don't = do not).
- Every item has feedback in English and Spanish. Items and options change order on every attempt.
- Only Exam mode saves your score to your progress. You pass with 70%.
Practice mode
No timer. Check each part as you go and read the feedback.
Exam mode
25 minutes. Feedback at the end. Your best score is saved.