imperative
imperative — adjective
1. Something that is imperative is so important or serious that it leaves no room f
Something that is imperative is so important or serious that it leaves no room for choice or delay — it must be done, dealt with, or addressed immediately.
It is imperative that the power be turned off before anyone enters the building.
that-clause with subjunctive: 'it is imperative that + verb(base form)'
The doctor said it was imperative to begin treatment right away.
it is imperative + to-infinitive
Getting enough clean water is imperative for survival in the desert.
Sora believes that financial reform is imperative for the country's future.
The government declared it imperative to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.
passive frame: 'declare it imperative to...'
- it is imperative that
- it is imperative to
- imperative for
- imperative to do something
- optional
something you may choose to do or not do
- unimportant
carrying little or no significance
Grammar Patterns
it is imperative that + clause (subjunctive)
it is imperative to + infinitive
Usage Note
This sense is often used in the pattern 'it is imperative (that)...' with the subjunctive mood in formal English: 'It is imperative that he be notified' (not usually 'he is notified'). In everyday conversation, speakers may use the indicative ('that he is notified') or switch to the to-infinitive pattern ('It is imperative to notify him').
Common Mistakes
2. Used for the verb form that tells someone to do something — for example, 'Stop!'
Used for the verb form that tells someone to do something — for example, 'Stop!' or 'Please take a seat.' In English, this form uses the base verb alone, without adding a subject.
In the sentence 'Please close the door,' the verb 'close' is in the imperative mood.
imperative mood with example quotation
Mayumi wrote a list of imperative verbs for her English homework.
When giving instructions, chefs often use the imperative form, such as 'Chop the onion finely.'
use case: giving instructions with 'such as' example
The imperative verb 'Listen' at the start of the speech caught everyone's attention.
Many public signs, such as 'Keep off the grass,' use the imperative mood.
public signs + 'such as' + imperative mood
- imperative mood
- imperative form
- imperative verb
- imperative sentence
- commanding
used for the general quality of giving orders, not the grammatical term
- instructive
more about teaching than commanding
Grammar Patterns
imperative + noun (imperative verb / imperative form / imperative mood)
Usage Note
Distinguish from the noun sense 'IMPERATIVE MOOD / COMMAND FORM' (noun/1): this adjective sense describes a verb form ('imperative verb', 'imperative mood'), while the noun sense names the grammatical category itself ('the imperative'). For a discussion of the subjunctive form with 'it is imperative that...' see adjective sense 1 (URGENT/IMPORTANT).
Common Mistakes
3. Having or showing a tone, manner, or quality that expresses authority and expect
Having or showing a tone, manner, or quality that expresses authority and expects to be obeyed, even without stating a direct order.
The head teacher's imperative tone made the students fall silent at once.
imperative + tone / manner
Eli entered the room with an imperative stride that made everyone look up at once.
Élise used an imperative gesture, pointing firmly toward the exit.
imperative gesture / body language
The general's letter was written in short, imperative sentences that left no room for doubt.
The queen's imperative gaze made the servant quickly bow and step aside.
- imperative tone
- imperative manner
- imperative gesture
- imperative gaze
- commanding
the closest synonym; suggests natural authority that draws attention
- authoritative
suggests recognised expertise or the right to give orders
- imposing
emphasises impressive size, strength, or presence rather than verbal authority
- submissive
willing to obey others without resistance
- humble
showing a modest opinion of one's own importance
Usage Note
This sense describes a person's tone, manner, or bearing — not a situation that requires urgent action. Unlike sense 1 (URGENT/IMPORTANT), it cannot be used in the 'it is imperative that...' pattern. This sense is less common than the other two adjective senses and is mostly found in formal or literary writing.
Common Mistakes
imperative — noun
1. The grammatical category that covers verb forms used for commands, requests, and
The grammatical category that covers verb forms used for commands, requests, and instructions. In English, commands like 'Sit down' use the base verb without the subject 'you.'
The imperative in English omits the subject and uses the base verb form.
the imperative + base verb form rule
Darius found the imperative easy because it matches the infinitive form.
The imperative sounds rude without 'please' — compare 'Give me the book' and 'Please give me the book.'
politeness contrast: imperative with/without 'please'
Teachers use the imperative when telling students to turn to a page.
The negative imperative places 'do not' before the verb, as in 'Do not run.'
negative imperative with 'do not'
- the imperative
- in the imperative
- use the imperative
- negative imperative
- command
refers to one specific order, not the whole grammatical category
- order
broader and less technical than 'imperative'
- instruction
softer than 'command'; often used for directions and guides
Grammar Patterns
the imperative
in the imperative
Usage Note
Distinguish from adjective sense 2 (GRAMMAR: IMPERATIVE MOOD): that sense describes a verb form ('imperative verb', 'imperative mood'), while this noun sense names the grammatical category itself. You can say 'the imperative is easy to learn' (noun) but not 'the imperative verb is easy to learn' with the same meaning (adjective + noun).
Common Mistakes
2. Something that is so important or urgent that it must be done or addressed witho
Something that is so important or urgent that it must be done or addressed without any question or delay, and is often seen as a duty or an unavoidable requirement.
Protecting the rainforest has become an economic imperative for the region.
economic imperative + for + domain
For Hassan, finding a new job was a financial imperative after his savings ran out.
National security is a political imperative that no government can afford to ignore.
Reducing energy use is a moral imperative in the fight against climate change.
moral imperative + in + domain
The company saw digital transformation as a competitive imperative to stay ahead of rivals.
competitive imperative + to-infinitive purpose
- moral imperative
- economic imperative
- political imperative
- competitive imperative
- financial imperative
- necessity
broader and less formal; something that must happen
- obligation
focuses on moral or legal duty rather than urgency
- requirement
a more neutral term; something set as a condition
- option
something you may choose to do or not do
Grammar Patterns
a/an + adjective + imperative
adjective + imperative + for + noun
Usage Note
Often paired with adjectives that name the domain of the obligation: 'moral imperative' (ethical duty), 'economic imperative' (financial necessity), 'political imperative' (governing necessity). This is a stronger and more formal word than 'necessity' or 'duty' — it suggests the situation leaves no acceptable alternative.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- imperativelyadverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
All four words describe something very important, but they differ in urgency and scope. 'Essential' is the broadest — it means necessary for a purpose ('A key is essential to start the car'). 'Vital' adds the idea that something is needed for continued existence or success ('Clean air is vital for health'). 'Crucial' emphasises a decisive moment where the outcome hangs in the balance ('The last goal was crucial to winning the match'). 'Imperative' is the strongest: it leaves no room for choice and demands immediate action ('It is imperative that we leave now'). As a rough guide: essential = necessary, vital = life-or-death important, crucial = make-or-break important, imperative = must-happen-now important.
Common collocations
Prepositions
- imperative for
Etymology
The word 'imperative' comes from Latin imperātīvus, meaning 'commanded' or 'ordered,' which grew out of the verb imperāre ('to command'). This verb was formed from the prefix im- (an intensifier) attached to parāre ('to prepare, arrange, order'). The word arrived in English through French impératif during the 1400s–1500s, first as a grammar term describing the mood used for commands. By the 1600s it had expanded to describe anything that 'commands' action — hence the sense of urgent necessity that cannot be postponed.