Imperative Verbs – Quiz

Imperative Verbs Quiz: What Are Imperative Verbs?

This imperative verbs quiz starts with the basics: imperative verbs are the action words used to give commands, make requests, offer instructions, or issue warnings. Unlike other verb forms, an imperative verb sits at the start of a sentence with an understood subject (“you”), which is why sentences like “Close the door” or “Please sit down” work without a stated subject. Recognising imperative verbs is a core part of learning the different kinds of sentences in English, since imperative sentences form one of the four main sentence types alongside declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences.

Imperative verbs appear constantly in everyday English: in recipes (“Add the flour”), classroom instructions (“Open your books”), road signs (“Stop here”), and polite requests (“Please wait a moment”). Because the subject is implied rather than written, many learners find it tricky to identify the imperative verb correctly, especially when a sentence begins with “please” or a similar softening word rather than the verb itself.

How to Use This Imperative Verbs Quiz

This imperative verbs quiz below gives you practice spotting and using imperative verbs correctly in a range of example sentences. Work through each question, then check which verb is functioning as the command word in the sentence. For a broader look at how imperative sentences compare with other sentence structures, see our guide to the kinds of sentences in English. You can also review the Cambridge Dictionary grammar guide to imperative sentences for additional reference examples.