In oral speech the Imperative is used frequently in order to express a command, a request or prohibition. This post is an introduction to the Imperative Mood with examples on its use.

 

1.  Συνεχής (Continuous)

Πρόσεχε τον εαυτό σου. / Take care of yourself.

Μη δίνεις το τηλέφωνό σου σε αγνώστους. / Don’t give your phone number to strangers.

The continuous Imperative of the verbs which end in –ω (first conjugation) is formed by the stem of the Present (Ενεστώτας) + the endings –ε / –ετε

 

2. Απλή (Simple)

Δώσε μου ένα ποτήρι νερό, σε παρακαλώ. / Give me a glass of water, please.

Μην αγοράσετε αυτό το πουκάμισο. / Don’t buy that shirt.

It is formed by the stem of the Past Simple (Αόριστος) + the endings -ε / -τε.

Some verbs form the plural in –ετε: καταλάβετε (understand), περιμένετε (wait) etc.

 

In the negative form we use the Subjunctive Mood: (να) μην + verb.

 

3. Imperative and personal pronouns

In the affirmative form the pronouns are placed after the verb.

Examples:

Αγόρασε τα γλυκά!=> Αγόρασέ τα! / Buy the sweets. Buy them.

Φέρε το αυτοκίνητο! => Φέρ’το! / Bring the car. Bring it.

Διαβάστε το βιβλίο! => Διαβάστε το! / Read the book. Read it.

 

In the negative form the pronouns are placed before the verb.

Examples:

Μην ανοίξεις την πόρτα! => Μην την ανοίξεις! / Don’t open the door. Don’t open it.

Μην πειράζεις τον παππού! => Μην τον πειράζεις! / Don’t tease the grandfather! Don’t tease him!

 

4. Pronouns as direct and indirect object

In the affirmative form the pronouns which replace the direct and indirect object are both placed after the verb. The indirect object (pronoun in the genitive case) precedes the direct object (pronoun in the accusative case)

Examples:

Στείλε το γράμμα στην καθηγήτρια! => Στείλ’ της το! / Send the letter to the teacher. Send it to her.

Δώσε σε μένα τα κλειδιά! => Δως μου τα! / Give me the keys. Give them to me.

Φτιάξτε τον καφέ στον Αλέξη! => Φτιάξτε τού τον! / Make the coffee to Alexis. Make it to him.

 

In the negative form the pronouns are placed before the verb.

Examples:

Να μη δώσεις στη Μαρία το τηλέφωνό μου! => Να μην της το δώσεις! / Don’t give Maria my phone number. Don’t give it to her.

Μη φέρετε σε εμάς το αυτοκίνητο απόψε! => Να μη μας το φέρετε απόψε! / Don’t bring us the car tonight. Don’t bring it to us tonight.