IMPERATIVE IN ENGLISH

I. Introduction

In our daily activity, language takes the important role. We use language to communicate with each others, without the language we cannot convey our ideas, views, feelings to the others. Through the language, we are able to find out the meaning of the sounds, sign, and signals. Language also controls social activities. These activities will be in a good plan if we are organized by good language.

Talking about language, there are many definitions about the meaning of the language. According to Wardhaugh (1977: 3), language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. Another definition comes to Hornby (1995: 662), said that language is a system of sounds and words used to express their thoughts and feelings. From the statements above, it can be said that the language is an instrument to express and appreciate ideas, feelings, and thoughts. Language allows people to say things to each other and express their communicative needs. Language is a cement of society, allowing people to live, work, and play together, to tell the truth but also to tell a lie, or lies.

We can catch the point bearing with the statement above that there are many expressions in a language used by the speakers in their daily communication. One of the expressions that are usually used is imperative expression. Imperative is used by one who wants to ask someone to do something or ask someone not to do something. Consequently, this expression is very important in our daily conversation. This expression is usually found in our daily communication.

As we know that there are many languages around the world, and every language has its own expression of imperative. It is difficult for the writer to explain them all. This is caused by the limited time, ability, and knowledge and also experiences of the writer. Therefore, in writing this paper, the writer limits to one of the language, it is English. Since English is used as a foreign language in our country is the main reason why the writer choosing English to be discussed here. So, this paper will be focused on discussing the form and use of imperative in English.

II. The form and Use of Imperative

According to Swan (1996: 254) imperative is an expression that is used to tell or ask people what to do, to make suggestions, to give advice or instructions, to encourage and offer, and to express wishes for people’s welfare. For example: Look in the mirror before you drive off, try again-you nearly did it, etc. According to Chaer (2000: 356) imperative expression divided into two parts. They are positive imperative and negative imperative. Positive imperative is a sentence that is intended to the hearer to do something that the speaker wants. In the contrary, negative imperative is a sentence that is intended to the hearer not to do something.

Related to the explanation above, according to Thomson and Martinet (1986: 245) imperative is divided into three parts, they are:

1. The second person imperative

a. This has the same form as the bare infinitive:

Hurry! Wait! Stop!

For negative we put do not (don’t) before the verb:

Don’t wait!

b. The person addressed is very often not mentioned, but can be expressed by a noun placed at the end of the phrase:

Eat your dinner, boys. Be quiet, Tom.

These nouns can be placed before the verb, but this is much less usual. The pronoun you is rarely used unless the speaker wishes to be rude, or wishes to make a distinction, as in:

You go on; I’ll wait.

c. do can be placed before the affirmative imperative:

Do hurry. Do be quiet.

This do could be persuasive, but could also express irritation.

2. The first person imperative

Form:

Let us (let’s) + bare infinitive:

Let us go together this afternoon

For the negative we normally put not before the infinitive:

Let us not be alarmed by rum ours.

But it is possible in colloquial English to put don’t before let’s:

Don’t let us not be alarmed by rum ours.

By let us (let’s) the speaker can urge his hearers to act in a certain way, or express a decision which they are expected to accept, or express a suggestion.

3. The third person imperative

Form:

Let him/ her/ it/ them + bare infinitive:

Let them go by train

This is not a very common construction in modern English. It would be more usual to say:

They must go by train.

The negative imperative let him/ her/ them + negative infinitive, is not used in modern English. Instead, we would use must not or is/ are not to:

They must not/ are not go by air.

III. Conclusion

English is an international language so; it is used in many countries around the world. In order to communicate with foreigner we should master English well, in learning English therefore, we should notice about the expressions used in English. One of the expressions is imperative expression. Imperative is an expression that is used to tell or ask people what to do, to make suggestions, to give advice or instructions, to encourage and offer, and to express wishes for people’s welfare. So, in order to communicate with foreigner we have to be able to use this expression well. In addition, we can add please at the end of the phrase to make it more politely.

REFERENCES

Chaer, Abdul. 2000. Tata Bahasa Praktis Bahasa Indonesia. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta.

Hornby, AS. 1995. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Swan, Michael. 1996. Practical English Usage. New York: Oxford University Press.

Thomson, A.J and Martinet, A.V. 1986. A Practical English Grammar. New York: Oxford University Press.

Wardhaugh, Ronald. 1977. Introduction to Linguistics. Toronto: University of Toronto.

Sekolah Pasca Sarjana Program Studi Lingusitik

Universitas Gadjah Mada

Yogyakarta

2008