Watch: What are imperative verbs?
Imperative verbs are used to give instructions or to tell someone to do something.
Watch this video to understand more about imperative verbs.
Learn how to use imperative verbs.
Oh, cut that out! Quieten down!
Command sentences give instructions and tell someone to do something.
They use imperative or bossy verbs, like 'jog on the spot'.
If you put a bossy verb at the beginning of a sentence, it turns it into a command.
They're usually short, like 'tidy that up', 'stand straight', or 'jump up and down', and they can end in full stops or exclamation marks depending on how bossy you want them to be.
…Which I'm going to have to be right now.
Stop it!
Honestly.
Watch: Instructions
Instructions are written to show someone how to do something, such as cooking a meal, building furniture or getting somewhere (directions).
Watch this video to learn how to write carefully crafted instructions that help with almost anything.
Learn how to write carefully crafted instructions to help with almost anything.
How to write instructions.
Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.
They could explain how to cook a meal, how to build a piece of furniture, how to play a game or how to get to somewhere you need to go.
It is important that instructions are written carefully. Let's see how these three nice witches write instructions for their potion.
The first thing a set of instructions needs is a title to tell you what it is that you are making or doing. Ah! A love potion. Well, this should be interesting.
Next, make a list of what you will need. One bucket of unicorn tears. Three toes of frog. One eye of newt. Two wings of bat. Left wing's only. A pinch of dried werewolf's eyebrow. Everything noted down accurately. Good.
Now comes the most important part, write down what to do in a sensible order.
Use verbs that give a command or tell you what to do such as take, chop or mix. Like this: light a fire under the cauldron.
Use connectives like first, then, next and until to help order the steps of the instructions. Heat the unicorn tears in the cauldron, until they boil.
You could even number each step to help you show the order you do things in. One, two, three. Chop the frog toes into pieces and drop into the boiling tears.
Use adverbs to give detail and to describe how something should be done. For example, finely chop.
Add adjectives to help describe your nouns such as small pieces. This will help the reader complete the task more successfully.
Four - add the eye of newt and bat wings, stirring gently.
Five - finally sprinkle the dried werewolf's eyebrow generously over the top.
Then ladel out a portion of the potion to cool.
Now, you just have to test it out. Oh, that doesn't look right. I think something's gone wrong with your love potion… or maybe not.
KISSING NOISES
How to write instructions
Instructions must be written carefully so the reader can complete the task.
Key features of instructions:
Title - tells the reader what it is they are making or doing.
What you will need - this could be ingredients (for a recipe) or tools if the instructions are for making furniture.
Chronological Order - write the instructions in time order (the order in which they need to be completed). Number the instructions to make the order clear.
Imperative verbs - 'bossy' or commanding verbs (action words) will make the actions the reader needs to complete clear.
Time conjunctions - these can introduce the individual instructions and help order each step. For example, first or primarily, next or then, finally or ultimately.
Adverbs – use adverbs to give detail and describe how something should be done. For example, finely chop the carrots OR gently stir the chocolate.
Detail/adjectives – use adjectives to make the instructions even clearer to the reader. For example, chop the nuts into small pieces OR screw the bolt in so it is tight.
Activity 1
Test your knowledge by highlighting the imperative verbs within the text.
Activity 2
Now that you know more about the key features of a set of instructions, take a look at these recipe examples.
In each one, try to spot:
- the ingredients list
- an imperative verb
- an adjective
Challenge!
Can you explain how the numbered instructions and illustrations help the reader to understand the instructions?
You can check your answers using this answer sheet.
Activity 3
Watch this video to learn about Robert Falcon Scott’s Journey to the South Pole. Then try the activity below.
Robert Falcon Scott.
Imagine you are Robert Falcon Scott and write a set of instructions for walking to the South Pole.
Think carefully about:
what equipment you will need
instructions to stay safe
instructions to find the South Pole
using imperative verbs
Top Tip!
Look at the key features to make sure that your instructions have the right amount of detail and are easy to understand.
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers! game
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission.
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