A1 · Débutant Chapitre 10

Getting Started: Commands and Requests

5 Règles totales
60 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of giving clear instructions and making polite requests in everyday situations.

  • Give direct commands to friends and colleagues.
  • Form negative instructions to avoid mistakes.
  • Ask for items or permission using polite structures.
Take charge and speak up with confidence!

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to start talking? This chapter helps you give simple instructions like Sit down or "Don't touch!

and even ask for things politely using
Can I...?" You'll soon be directing friends and making requests with confidence!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use imperative verbs to give directions to a classmate.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Ask for help or permission in a café or office setting.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Are you ready to truly start communicating in English? This chapter is your perfect entry point into English getting started: commands and requests, empowering you to give basic instructions and ask for things politely. For A1 English grammar learners, mastering these fundamental structures means you can start engaging in daily interactions right away.
Imagine telling someone to Wait! or asking Can I help? – these simple phrases open up a world of practical communication.
We'll dive into how to use positive commands like Sit down and negative commands such as "Don't worry," giving you the confidence to direct people or offer warnings. You’ll also learn the magic of adding 'please' to make your instructions wonderfully polite. Plus, we'll introduce the versatile word 'can' for talking about your abilities and making friendly requests.
By the end of this guide, you won't just understand these rules; you'll be able to use them to ask for directions, make simple suggestions, and even offer help. This foundational knowledge is crucial for building your fluency and making your initial conversations in English much smoother and more effective. Get ready to speak with impact and politeness!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down how to give instructions and make requests in English. First, for direct instructions or commands, we use the base form of the verb – no 's', 'ed', or 'ing' needed! This is your Boss Mode. For example, if you want someone to stop, you just say,
Stop!
or for an action,
Listen!
These are very direct.
To make a command negative, telling someone *not* to do something, you simply put 'Don't' before the base verb. So, if you want to warn someone, you say, "Don't touch!
or to advise them,
Don't worry."
To soften these commands and make them polite, we add 'please'. You can put 'please' at the beginning or end of your command. For example,
Please sit down.
or
Open the door, please.
And for negative polite requests: "Please don't go. or Don't forget, please." This makes a big difference in how your message is received!
Next, we introduce the useful helper verb 'can'. We use 'can' for two main things at this level. First, it shows present ability – what you are able to do.
For instance,
I can swim.
or
She can speak English.
Notice that the verb after 'can' is always the base form. Secondly, 'can' is perfect for making friendly requests or asking for permission. For example,
Can I help you?
to offer assistance, or
Can you open the window?
to ask someone to do something for you.
Remember, 'can' never changes, no matter who the subject is (I can, you can, he can, etc.).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ You sit here.
✓ Sit here.
*Explanation:* Commands usually don't include 'you' because it's understood you're talking directly to the person. Adding 'you' can sound bossy or overly direct in a way that isn't natural for simple commands.
  1. 1✗ Not go there.
✓ Don't go there.
*Explanation:* To make a negative command, always use 'Don't' before the base verb. Just using 'not' is incorrect in this context.
  1. 1✗ I can to swim.
✓ I can swim.
*Explanation:* After modal verbs like 'can', we use the base form of the verb *without* 'to'. 'Can' is a helper verb and the main verb follows directly.

Real Conversations

A

A

The phone is ringing!
B

B

Answer it, please.
A

A

I'm really tired today.
B

B

Don't worry! Relax. We can do it tomorrow.
A

A

Excuse me, I don't understand this word.
B

B

Can I help you?
A

A

Yes, can you explain 'delicious'?
A

A

Is this seat free?
B

B

Yes, sit down, please.

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I make a simple command in English?

Just use the base form of the verb. For example,

Stop!
or
Listen!
To be polite, add 'please':
Please wait.

Q

When should I use 'Don't'?

Use 'Don't' before the base verb to tell someone *not* to do something. For instance, "Don't touch that! or Don't forget your keys."

Q

What's the main difference between Go! and Can I go?

Go!
is a direct command, telling someone to do something.
Can I go?
is a polite question asking for permission to go. The first is an instruction, the second is a request.

Q

Is

Can you help me?
always polite enough?

Yes,

Can you help me?
is a very common and friendly way to ask for help in most everyday situations. Adding 'please' (e.g.,
Can you help me, please?
) makes it even more polite.

Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, commands without 'please' are often reserved for urgent situations, very close friends/family, or when the speaker is in a position of authority (e.g., a teacher to students, a parent to children). Using 'please' is almost always recommended to show respect and politeness, especially with strangers or in formal settings. 'Can' for requests is incredibly common and considered friendly and informal, suitable for most everyday interactions.
Be aware that direct commands might sound a little strong to some native speakers if 'please' is omitted.

Exemples clés (8)

1

Open your books to page 5.

Ouvre tes livres à la page 5.

Mode Boss : Ordres Positifs (Impératif)
2

Listen to the speaker.

Écoute l'orateur.

Mode Boss : Ordres Positifs (Impératif)
3

Don't forget your passport!

N'oublie pas ton passeport !

Impératif Négatif (Ne...)
4

Please don't talk during the movie.

S'il te plaît, ne parle pas pendant le film.

Impératif Négatif (Ne...)
5

Please close the window.

S'il te plaît, ferme la fenêtre.

Ordres Polis (Utilisation de Please)
6

Wait for me, please.

Attends-moi, s'il te plaît.

Ordres Polis (Utilisation de Please)
7

I can speak a little Spanish.

Je peux parler un peu espagnol.

Can: Exprimer la capacité présente
8

She can run very fast.

Elle peut courir très vite.

Can: Exprimer la capacité présente

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Toujours la forme de base

Retiens bien ça : pour les commandes positives, tu utilises toujours la forme de base du verbe. Pas de -s, -ed, ni -ing ! Reste simple ! Open the book!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mode Boss : Ordres Positifs (Impératif)
💡

Toujours le verbe de base

Après "Don't
, le verbe principal est toujours dans sa forme la plus simple. Jamais de -s, -ed, ou -ing. Pense à la forme
nue du verbe ! Don't eating." (incorrect)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Impératif Négatif (Ne...)
💡

En cas de doute, ajoute "please" !

Sérieusement, on ne peut presque jamais être trop poli avec please. Ça rend tes demandes amicales et respectueuses, surtout avec des inconnus ou dans de nouvelles situations. Please come in.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordres Polis (Utilisation de Please)
💡

Pas de 'To' après 'Can'

C'est un verbe spécial ! Tu ne dois jamais mettre 'to' après 'can'. Dis toujours I can swim, et pas
I can to swim
. C'est une erreur classique de débutant !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Exprimer la capacité présente

Vocabulaire clé (6)

please politeness marker sit to occupy a seat touch to make physical contact help to assist someone swim to move through water open to move something to reveal contents

Real-World Preview

book-open

At the Library

Review Summary

  • Verb + Object
  • Don't + Verb
  • Command + please
  • Subject + can + verb
  • Can I + Verb + ...?

Erreurs courantes

Imperatives don't need a subject like 'you'. Start directly with the verb.

Wrong: You to sit down.
Correct: Sit down.

The verb 'can' is followed immediately by the base verb without 'to'.

Wrong: Can I to go?
Correct: Can I go?

Use 'Don't' to make a command negative in English, not 'No'.

Wrong: No touch!
Correct: Don't touch!

Next Steps

You are making amazing progress! Keep practicing these phrases in your daily life.

Give 5 commands to your pet or a plant

Continue to: Raconte tes souvenirs : Maîtrise le passé en anglais

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Can I to use your phone?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can I use your phone?
Après le verbe modal can, on utilise toujours la forme de base du verbe principal sans to.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Demandes et Permission

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette requête polie.

Find and fix the mistake:

Don't please open that.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please don't open that.
Quand 'please' est au début d'une commande négative, il vient avant 'don't'. 'Don't open that, please.' est aussi correct mais n'est pas une option ici.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordres Polis (Utilisation de Please)

Choisis la forme correcte du verbe pour une commande.

___ (listen) carefully to the instructions.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Listen
Pour une commande positive, nous utilisons la forme de base du verbe, qui est 'Listen'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mode Boss : Ordres Positifs (Impératif)

Choisis la forme correcte

___ be late for the meeting!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Don't
Pour les commandes négatives, nous utilisons 'Don't' suivi de la forme de base du verbe. 'Do nots' est incorrect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Impératif Négatif (Ne...)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

He cans play the piano well.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He can play the piano well.
'Can' ne prend jamais de '-s' pour aucun sujet. La forme correcte est 'can' pour tous les sujets.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Exprimer la capacité présente

Choisis la bonne forme pour compléter la phrase.

My little sister ___ read yet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can't
'Can't' est la bonne contraction de 'cannot', qui montre une incapacité. 'No can' est incorrect, et 'cannot to' ajoute le 'to' à tort.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Exprimer la capacité présente

Choisis la bonne forme pour compléter la requête polie.

______ help me with this box?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
Pour faire une requête polie, 'Please' est la façon la plus directe et courante de commencer.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordres Polis (Utilisation de Please)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la commande.

Find and fix the mistake:

You open the door, please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Open the door, please.
Le sujet 'You' est sous-entendu dans les commandes et ne doit pas être énoncé. La forme de base 'Open' est correcte.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mode Boss : Ordres Positifs (Impératif)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Don't touch the paintings.
La forme correcte pour une commande négative est 'Don't' + la forme de base du verbe ('touch').

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Impératif Négatif (Ne...)

Choisis le mot correct pour compléter la requête.

___ I borrow your pen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
Can est utilisé pour demander la permission ou faire une requête. Am et Do ne sont pas utilisés de cette manière avec un verbe à l'infinitif.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Demandes et Permission

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Une commande positive dit à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose directement. Par exemple, Come here! ou Open your book.
L'impératif est le mode grammatical utilisé pour les commandes et les requêtes. Les commandes positives est un autre nom pour les impératifs positifs.
Une commande négative dit à quelqu'un *de ne pas* faire quelque chose. C'est une instruction directe pour arrêter ou éviter une action, comme "Don't run!"
Tu ajoutes simplement "Don't
avant la forme de base du verbe. Par exemple,
Eat devient Don't eat."
Le but principal de 'please' est de rendre une commande ou une demande polie et respectueuse. Ça adoucit le ton, te faisant paraître amical plutôt que exigeant. Par exemple, au lieu de Give me the book!, tu dis Please give me the book.
Tu peux placer 'please' au début d'une commande, comme Please open the door., ou à la fin, comme Open the door, please.. Les deux positions sont correctes et transmettent la politesse.
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Talking About Amounts and Ideas
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Raconte tes souvenirs : Maîtrise le passé en anglais
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