Grammar B1

Italian imperative

Give instructions, advice, invitations and directions naturally: ascolta, prendi, parti, non fare.

When is it used?

We use the imperative for instructions, invitations, advice and direct requests. The tone depends a lot on the situation.

Instruction
Gira a destra.
Invitation
Entra, per favore.
Advice
Dormi un po'.
Prohibition
Non parlare adesso.

Forms with tu and voi

InfinitiveTuVoi
parlareparlaparlate
prendereprendiprendete
partirepartipartite
farefa' / faifate
andareva' / vaiandate
diredi'dite

Negative with tu: non + infinitive: non parlare, non prendere, non partire.

With pronouns

With the affirmative imperative, the pronoun is attached to the end.

Prendi il libro. Prendilo.
Ascolta me. Ascoltami.
Mandate la foto. Mandatela.
Non lo prendere. / Non prenderlo.

Common mistakes

Wrong: tu parla italiano Correct: parla italiano.
Wrong: non parla! Correct: non parlare!
Wrong: lo prendi! Correct: prendilo!
Wrong: andi! Correct: va'! / vai!

Exercises with immediate feedback

Complete with the correct imperative.

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