The first imperative meaning most people meet is very important and urgent, something that must be done: It is imperative that you sign the form today. The second belongs to grammar, where the imperative is the verb form we use to give orders, instructions and invitations, like Sit down or Try the soup.
Used as a noun, imperative refers to a pressing need, as in a moral imperative. This page gives an imperative definition for each use, explains what an imperative sentence is with plenty of examples, and points out the grammar trap that comes after it is imperative that.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
1. Vitally important; urgent. 2. (grammar) Expressing a command. 3. (noun) A necessity or duty.Part of speech
Adjective and nounPronunciation
im-PAIR-uh-tivWord forms
imperatively (adverb), imperativeness (noun)Origin
Late Latin imperativus, from Latin imperare, to commandClose words
essential, vital, urgent, pressing, mandatoryRegister
Formal in the urgent sense; technical in grammar
Define imperative: the three senses
- Absolutely necessary or urgent (adjective). Wearing a helmet on the building site is imperative. It is stronger than important: it suggests there is no real choice.
- Expressing a command (grammar). Close the door is in the imperative mood.
- A pressing need or duty (noun). Cutting costs became a business imperative. Protecting children is a moral imperative.
In philosophy, the categorical imperative is a well known idea in ethics: a rule you should follow no matter what you want, because it applies to everyone. See ethics for the wider field.
Imperative sentence meaning and definition
An imperative sentence tells someone to do something, or not to do it. It usually starts with the base form of a verb, and the subject you is understood rather than said. It can end with a period, or with stronger punctuation when shouted.
- Commands: Turn off the stove.
- Instructions: Add two cups of flour and stir.
- Requests: Please pass the salt.
- Warnings: Watch your step.
- Invitations and advice: Come over on Sunday. Take an umbrella.
- Negative imperatives use do not or don't: Don't touch the paint.
- First person suggestions use let's: Let's start early.
Thanks to that hidden subject, one word such as Run or Listen counts as a complete sentence. The other sentence types are declarative (statements), interrogative (questions) and exclamatory.
Imperative meaning in everyday examples
- With the storm coming, it was imperative to tie down the boats.
- Speed is imperative when someone is choking.
- For the start up, finding a second investor had become an imperative.
- Recipes are written almost entirely in imperative sentences.
- The manager's imperative tone made the team uneasy.
The grammar after it is imperative that
Formal English often follows it is imperative that with the base form of the verb, known as the subjunctive: It is imperative that she be on time, It is imperative that he submit the report, not submits. This pattern is standard in American English and common in Indian formal writing. British English also accepts should: It is imperative that he should submit the report.
The adjective works with to as well: It is imperative to back up your files. And it can describe a tone or manner: an imperative gesture, a hand signal that clearly gives an order.
How strong is the word?
| Word | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| important | Medium | Matters, but other things may come first |
| essential | High | Cannot work without it |
| imperative | Very high | Must happen, often urgently |
| mandatory | Very high | Required by a rule or law |
Because it is so strong, imperative loses force when used for small things. Save it for real necessities so readers take it seriously. For everyday alternatives, the everyday vocabulary list has related entries such as prompt.
History of the word
Imperative comes from Late Latin imperativus, relating to a command, from Latin imperare, to command or rule. The related word emperor shares that root. English first used it as a grammar term: the noun appears in the mid 1400s and the adjective for verbs that express a command in the 1520s. The broader sense of urgently necessary grew from the idea of something that commands you. In computing, imperative programming describes code written as a list of step by step commands, which follows the same logic.
See the grammar and writing section for other sentence terms, including noun and pronoun.
Frequently asked questions
What does it is imperative mean?
It means something is absolutely necessary and usually urgent. If a doctor says it is imperative that you rest, resting is not optional.
What is an imperative sentence?
It is a sentence that gives a command, instruction, request or warning, such as Close the window. The subject you is understood, so the sentence often begins with a verb.
Can an imperative sentence have a subject?
Usually the subject is left out, but it can be added for emphasis or to pick out a person: You sit here, and everyone else wait outside. Somebody call a doctor also works.
Is imperative stronger than important?
Yes. Important means something matters. Imperative means it must be done, with little or no choice and often no time to waste.
What is a moral imperative?
It is a duty that people feel they must carry out because it is right, whatever the cost. Speakers use it to argue that an action is not optional.
How do you pronounce imperative?
Say im-PAIR-uh-tiv, with the main stress on PAIR. The last part sounds like tiv, not tive.