Informal imperative
Develop health and services through a focused grammar itinerary.
The imperative
Use the imperative to give instructions or advice. Informal forms include prendi, aspetta, and vai. Formal forms include prenda, aspetti, and vada. Use the formal form with a stranger or in a service situation.
- Prendi questa medicina dopo cena.· Take this medicine after dinner.
- Scusi, vada allo sportello numero tre.· Excuse me, go to counter number three.
- Non andare via, per favore.· Do not go away, please.
- Non apra la porta.· Do not open the door.
Negative commands
For informal tu, use non plus the infinitive: non andare, non toccare, non preoccuparti. Formal negative commands use non plus the formal imperative: non vada, non apra.
- Prenda questa compressa.· Take this tablet. (formal)
- Beva molta acqua.· Drink plenty of water. (formal)
- Finisca il trattamento.· Finish the treatment. (formal)
- Non usi questo prodotto.· Do not use this product. (formal)
In context
The words of this lesson in sentences from other A2 lessons.
- Prendilo con un po’ d’acqua.· Take it with a little water.Tappa 7 · At the pharmacy
- Lo prenda dopo i pasti.· Take it after meals. (formal)Tappa 7 · Formal imperative and pronouns
- Prenda queste pastiglie e beva molta acqua.· Take these lozenges and drink a lot of water.Tappa 7 · Ask for help
- Ne prenda una ogni sei ore. Non ne prenda più di quattro al giorno.· Take one every six hours. Do not take more than four a day.Tappa 7 · Ask for help
- Prenda un numero e aspetti il suo turno.· Take a number and wait for your turn. (formal)Tappa 7 · Explain a problem
- C’era molta gente alla stazione.· There were many people at the station.Tappa 3 · A journey that went wrong
- Alla stazione c’era molta gente.· There were many people at the station.Tappa 3 · Tell the complete story