imperative voice

USAGE SUMMARY

'imperative voice' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the imperative voice to express commands, requests, and exhortations. For example: "Do your homework now!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Trump loves the imperative voice, and Twitter enables it nicely.

The Washington Post

The words, meaning stop that or abandon it, were spoken in Japanese in an imperative voice usually reserved for children.

The New York Times

Also discussed is the difference between writing in the active and passive voice, with examples of both, as well as when to write in the imperative voice.

Writing for Interaction Crafting the Information Experience for Web and Software Apps

One would be more likely to blink at these follies if we were not so surrounded by nonstop fatuities in the imperative voice of advertising.

The Guardian - Books

A form of active voice to avoid in most formal essays is the imperative voice, which reads like a command ("Remember that ").

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'm in charge.' " Furthermore, he breaks — on principle — the producing imperative voiced by Max Bialystock in "The Producers": "Never put your own money in the show".

The New York Times

Given the recent murder of Armenian-Turkish writer Hrant Dink, I think it's imperative to voice our protest, to demonstrate to those in power that a particular case has international significance and to persuade them of the importance of offering protection to their own endangered writers.

The Guardian - Books

How to move back from the brink Whatever the outcome of that election, it is imperative that voices of moderation and reconciliation on either side of the political divide and within every major political party come together to pull Turkey back from the brink of the abyss that has swallowed Syria and Iraq.

Huffington Post

In a more extreme example, Latin ī "go!" cumulatively represents in one fused form the verb meaning "go," active voice, imperative mood, second person, and singular number, each a grammatically distinct category.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yvo de Boer, KPMG's special global advisor on climate change and sustainability and former executive secretary to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change said the business community is critical to the success of future measures on sustainable development and therefore imperative that its voice is heard.

The Guardian

It's imperative to take voice search into consideration while preparing content for your brand.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly differentiate between "imperative voice" for grammatical structure and "imperative" as a general term for something vitally important.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the "imperative voice" in formal essays or academic papers, as it can come across as too direct or commanding. Use active or passive voice instead to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The "imperative voice" serves as a grammatical mood used to express direct commands, requests, or instructions. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in conveying direct action and guidance, as exemplified in the provided sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The "imperative voice" is a grammatical structure used to express commands, requests, or instructions. While grammatically correct, its usage frequency is uncommon. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears in various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. Be mindful of the tone conveyed when employing the "imperative voice", as it can sometimes sound demanding. Consider the audience and aim for clarity and appropriateness in different writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imperative tone

Focuses on the manner and style of speaking, highlighting the commanding or forceful nature of the tone used.

peremptory voice

Emphasizes a commanding and authoritative tone, focusing on the manner of speaking rather than the grammatical structure.

essential voice

Stresses the fundamental and vital character of a specific voice, similar to indispensable but with a slightly broader application.

vital voice

Highlights the critical importance and life-giving quality of a voice, stressing its essential contribution.

indispensable voice

Highlights the crucial and necessary nature of a particular voice or perspective, emphasizing its importance rather than its commanding tone.

pivotal voice

Emphasizes the crucial and central importance of a voice, indicating it plays a key role in a particular context.

urgent voice

Conveys a sense of immediacy and pressing need in the way something is expressed, focusing on the urgency of the message.

inevitable voice

Implies a feeling or expression that cannot be avoided or prevented, shifting the focus from command to inevitability.

inescapable voice

Similar to inevitable, it conveys the sense that a particular voice or expression cannot be avoided.

imperative role

Shifts the focus from the voice itself to the significance or necessity of a particular role or function.

FAQs

How is the "imperative voice" used in grammar?

The "imperative voice" is used to give commands, make requests, or offer instructions. For example, "Do your homework", "Please be quiet", or "Follow these steps" are all examples of sentences in the imperative voice.

What is the difference between active and "imperative voice"?

Active voice indicates that the subject performs the action (e.g., "The dog chased the ball"), while the "imperative voice" gives a command or instruction with an implied subject (e.g., "Chase the ball!").

What are some alternatives to using the "imperative voice" when requesting something?

Instead of using the "imperative voice" directly, you can use polite requests such as "Could you please...", "Would you mind...", or phrase your request as a question. For example, instead of "Close the door", you can say "Could you please close the door?"

How does the "imperative voice" differ from other grammatical moods like indicative or subjunctive?

The "imperative voice" expresses commands or requests, the indicative mood states facts or opinions, and the subjunctive mood expresses wishes, possibilities, or hypothetical situations. For instance, compare "Do it!" (imperative), "He does it" (indicative), and "I wish he would do it" (subjunctive).