A1 · Beginner Chapter 10

Getting Started: Commands and Requests

5 Total Rules
60 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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!

What You'll Learn

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.

Chapter Guide

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.

Key Examples (8)

1

Open your books to page 5.

Boss Mode: Positive Commands (Imperative)
2

Listen to the speaker.

Boss Mode: Positive Commands (Imperative)
3

Don't forget your passport!

Negative Commands (Don't...)
4

Please don't talk during the movie.

Negative Commands (Don't...)
5

Please close the window.

Polite Commands (Using Please)
6

Wait for me, please.

Polite Commands (Using Please)
7

I can speak a little Spanish.

Can: Expressing Present Ability
8

She can run very fast.

Can: Expressing Present Ability

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'Please' Sandwich

Put 'Please' at the start for a request, or at the end for a slightly softer feel. 'Please sit' vs 'Sit, please'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Boss Mode: Positive Commands (Imperative)
💡

Add 'Please'

To avoid sounding rude, always add 'please' at the beginning or end of your command.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Negative Commands (Don't...)
💡

The Comma Rule

Always use a comma before 'please' if it's at the end of a sentence. It helps the reader see the pause.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Commands (Using Please)
💡

The 'No-To' Rule

Always remember: Can + Verb. Never add 'to'. It's 'I can swim', not 'I can to swim'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Key Vocabulary (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 + ...?

Common Mistakes

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: Talking About the Past

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He can play guitar.
'Can' does not take 'to' or an 's'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Identify the correct question.

___ I borrow your pen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
'Can' is used to ask for permission or ability.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Select the negative form.

I ___ see the stars tonight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cannot
'Cannot' is the formal negative form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

He cans help you with your bags.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cans
'Can' never takes an -s, even for he/she/it.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Requests and Permission

Choose the most polite and correct sentence.

You want someone to open the window.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please open the window.
We use 'Please + Base Verb' for a polite command.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Commands (Using Please)

Fill in the blank with 'can' or 'can't'.

I'm sorry, you ___ park here. It's for doctors only.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can't
The context 'for doctors only' implies permission is refused.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Requests and Permission

Complete the short answer.

A: Can I sit here? B: Yes, you ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can
Short answers use the same modal verb as the question.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Requests and Permission

Fix the mistake in this command.

Find and fix the mistake:

You close the door, please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Close the door, please.
Remove the subject 'you' to make it a proper imperative.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Boss Mode: Positive Commands (Imperative)

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Do you can help me with my homework?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove 'Do'
We don't use 'do' with modal verbs like 'can'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Complete the sentence.

My cat ___ jump very high.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can
Third-person 'it' still uses 'can'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressing Present Ability

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It depends on your tone and the situation. With friends, it's fine for small things like Pass the salt. With strangers or bosses, add Please or use a question like Could you...?.
Usually, we use Let's (Let us) for commands that include ourselves, like Let's go!. A pure imperative is only for other people.
No. In English, 'No' is used with nouns (No smoking) or as an answer. For verbs, you must use Don't.
It can be. To make it polite, add please or use a softer tone. Please don't... is much friendlier.
Yes! 'Can you please help me?' is very common and even more polite than 'Please help me.'
In this context, no. It is an adverb or a 'politeness marker.' However, 'to please' is a verb meaning 'to make someone happy.'
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