The Imperative Sentence
Learn About It!

An imperative sentence gives a command. It usually end with a period, but it may also end with an exclamation point (!).

Commands ask or tell people to do something.

Please pass the salt.

Get out of my way!

Both of those sentences are commands.

The first one doesn't sound as commanding as the second one, but both of them are commands because they both ask or tell someone to do something.

Finding the Subject of An Imperative Sentence

Subjects are nouns or pronouns that tell us whom or what a sentences is about.

Here are some example sentences for you to check out. I've underlined the subjects for you.

The dog ran around the block.

Jimmy happily skipped to school.

Dog and Jimmy are the subjects of those sentences. They tell us whom or what the sentences are about.

Now, take a look at some imperative sentences.

Pass the salt.

Shut the door.


What is the subject of those sentences? Hmm... that's tricky!


Well, since commands are always speaking to someone or something (you've got to address them if you're going to ask them to do something), the subject is always the word you.

You may have noticed that the word "you" is not even in a command. Because of this, the subject is actually called you understood, and it is written like this: (you)


Imperative Subject
Please find my yellow leotard.(you)
Shut the door!(you)
Be there at 5:00.(you)

When a command begins with a noun of direct address, you might get tricked into thinking that it is a declarative sentence

Bob, shut the door!

Grandma, be there at 5:00

But, don't get tricked! These sentences are still commands and their subjects are still (you). Learn more about nouns of direct address beginning commands here

Diagramming Commands

You'll notice that every command has the same subject, (you).

Diagram (you) in the place where the subject goes. Check out these examples!

imperative sentence

imperative sentence

Shut the door!

imperative sentence

Be there at 5:00.


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