A2 Expressions & Patterns 5 min read かんたん

Giving Commands

Just use the verb stem to tell someone what to do, or add 'inte' to stop them.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Swedish, the imperative is simply the verb stem, making it one of the easiest forms to learn.

  • For most verbs, the imperative is the same as the verb stem: 'Ät!' (Eat!)
  • For verbs ending in a vowel in the infinitive, the imperative is the same as the infinitive: 'Stanna!' (Stay!)
  • To make it negative, add 'inte' after the verb: 'Spring inte!' (Don't run!)
Verb Stem + ! (e.g., Läs! = Read!)

Overview

## Overview
The imperative mood in Swedish is remarkably straightforward. Unlike many other languages that require complex conjugations for different persons (I, you, we), Swedish uses a single form for commands. Whether you are talking to one person or a group, the form remains the same.
You simply use the verb stem. If the verb ends in a vowel in its infinitive form (like 'stanna'), the imperative is identical to the infinitive. This simplicity makes it a very accessible tool for A2 learners who need to navigate daily life, from ordering food to asking for directions.
Remember, however, that because it is direct, it can sound blunt. Swedes often soften commands with words like 'gärna' (gladly) or 'snälla' (please) to maintain politeness.
## How to Form It
Formation is based on the verb's infinitive form.
  1. 1If the infinitive ends in a consonant: The imperative is the stem (remove the -a). Example: 'att läsa' -> 'läs!'.
  2. 2If the infinitive ends in a vowel: The imperative is the same as the infinitive. Example: 'att stanna' -> 'stanna!'.
For negative commands, simply place 'inte' after the verb: 'Läs inte!' (Don't read!). For questions, you can use the imperative in a suggestion format, though this is less common than using 'ska vi...'.
## When to Use It
Use the imperative when you need immediate action. In a professional setting, use it for clear instructions (e.g., 'Skicka rapporten'). In social settings, it is used for invitations ('Kom på festen!') or advice ('Prova den här rätten!').
When texting, it is very common for quick coordination ('Möt mig vid stationen'). Always be mindful of the social context; in Sweden, being overly direct can sometimes be perceived as aggressive, so adding a 'tack' or 'snälla' is good practice.
## Common Mistakes
  1. 1Adding an extra 'a' to consonant verbs: 'Läsa!' instead of 'Läs!'.
  2. 2Overusing the imperative: Using it for requests instead of 'Kan du...' (Can you...). 'Ge mig vattnet' sounds like a demand; 'Kan du ge mig vattnet' is a polite request.
  3. 3Forgetting the negative placement: Putting 'inte' before the verb ('Inte gå!') instead of after ('Gå inte!').
## How It's Different From...
It is often confused with the infinitive form. The infinitive is used after modal verbs (e.g., 'Jag vill läsa'), while the imperative is used for commands ('Läs!'). The key difference is that the imperative is a standalone sentence or clause meant to influence the listener's behavior, whereas the infinitive is a dependent form.
## CEFR-Level Explanations
A1: In Swedish, you use the command form to tell people what to do. It is very easy! You just take the verb and say it. For example, 'Ät!' means 'Eat!'. If you want to say 'Don't eat!', you say 'Ät inte!'. It is a great way to give simple instructions to friends or family.
A2: At the A2 level, you can use the imperative for more than just basic commands. You can use it for directions, like 'Sväng höger!' (Turn right!), or for recipes, like 'Blanda allt!' (Mix everything!). Remember that the form depends on the verb ending.
If the verb ends in a consonant, remove the -a. If it ends in a vowel, keep it. You can also use it to give advice, which is very common in daily life.
B1: The imperative mood is essential for functional communication. While the formation is simple, the pragmatic use requires nuance. In Swedish culture, the directness of the imperative can be perceived as blunt.
Therefore, B1 learners should practice combining the imperative with modal particles or softening phrases. For instance, 'Sitt ner, är du snäll' is much more natural than a bare 'Sitt ner'. You should also be aware of how the imperative functions in written instructions versus spoken requests.
B2: At the B2 level, you should master the imperative's role in various registers. Beyond simple commands, the imperative is frequently used in advertising and persuasive writing to create a call to action. You should also recognize the distinction between the imperative and the hortative (using 'låt oss' or 'ska vi' for 'let's').
Understanding the social implications of the imperative is key; it is rarely used with superiors unless in specific emergency contexts. You should be able to manipulate the tone by adding adverbs like 'gärna' or 'faktiskt'.
C1: The imperative in C1 Swedish involves understanding its stylistic utility. It is often employed in literary contexts to create a sense of immediacy or urgency. You should be able to distinguish between the standard imperative and archaic or poetic forms that might appear in older texts.
Furthermore, the use of the imperative in conditional structures (e.g., 'Gör det, så får du...') demonstrates a high level of syntactic control. You should also be comfortable with the subtle differences in tone when using the imperative in professional versus intimate settings.
C2: At the C2 level, you possess near-native mastery of the imperative's pragmatic functions. You understand the fine line between a command, an invitation, and a suggestion, often relying on prosody and context rather than just the verb form. You can analyze the evolution of the imperative from Old Swedish to modern usage, noting how the loss of person-marking has influenced the language's directness.
You are also adept at using the imperative in complex, multi-clause sentences where it functions as a rhetorical device to engage the reader or listener.

Meanings

The imperative mood is used to give direct orders, instructions, or advice to one or more people.

1

Direct Command

A forceful instruction to perform an action.

“Gå nu!”

“Kom hit!”

2

Advice/Suggestion

Giving friendly advice.

“Prova den här!”

“Ring mig senare!”

3

Instructional

Used in recipes or manuals.

“Blanda mjölet.”

“Tryck på knappen.”

Imperative Formation

Infinitive Stem Imperative Negative
att läsa läs Läs! Läs inte!
att äta ät Ät! Ät inte!
att stanna stanna Stanna! Stanna inte!
att ringa ring Ring! Ring inte!
att köpa köp Köp! Köp inte!
att skriva skriv Skriv! Skriv inte!

Reference Table

Reference table for Giving Commands
Form Structure Example
Affirmative Verb Stem Gå!
Negative Verb Stem + inte Gå inte!
Polite Verb + snälla Gå, snälla!
Plural Verb Stem Gå alla!
Suggestion Ska vi + infinitive Ska vi gå?
Invitation Låt oss + infinitive Låt oss gå!

フォーマル度スペクトル

フォーマル
Var god och sitt ner.

Var god och sitt ner. (Directing someone to sit.)

ニュートラル
Sitt ner.

Sitt ner. (Directing someone to sit.)

カジュアル
Sitt!

Sitt! (Directing someone to sit.)

スラング
Sätt dig ner.

Sätt dig ner. (Directing someone to sit.)

Imperative Logic

Imperative

Consonant Stem

  • Läs Read

Vowel Stem

  • Stanna Stay

Imperative vs Infinitive

Imperative
Gå! Go!
Infinitive
Att gå To go

How to form the imperative

1

Does the verb end in a vowel?

YES
Keep the infinitive form
NO
Remove the -a

Common Imperative Verbs

🏃

Action

  • • Gå
  • • Spring
  • • Kom
🗣️

Communication

  • • Säg
  • • Skriv
  • • Ring
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Examples by Level

1

Ät!

Eat!

2

Kom!

Come!

3

Läs!

Read!

4

Sitt!

Sit!

1

Sväng höger här.

Turn right here.

2

Ring mig ikväll.

Call me tonight.

3

Stanna inte där.

Don't stay there.

4

Prova den här tröjan.

Try this sweater.

1

Blanda mjölet med vattnet.

Mix the flour with the water.

2

Sitt ner, är du snäll.

Sit down, please.

3

Gå inte ut utan jacka.

Don't go out without a jacket.

4

Skicka rapporten till mig.

Send the report to me.

1

Läs igenom dokumentet noggrant.

Read through the document carefully.

2

Gör det, så får du en belöning.

Do it, and you'll get a reward.

3

Tänk efter innan du svarar.

Think before you answer.

4

Glöm inte att låsa dörren.

Don't forget to lock the door.

1

Betrakta situationen ur ett annat perspektiv.

Consider the situation from another perspective.

2

Våga tro på din egen förmåga.

Dare to believe in your own ability.

3

Låt oss analysera resultaten.

Let us analyze the results.

4

Var beredd på det värsta.

Be prepared for the worst.

1

Må det bli en dag att minnas.

May it be a day to remember.

2

Se till att alla är informerade.

Ensure that everyone is informed.

3

Var så god och sätt dig.

Please, have a seat.

4

Håll fast vid dina principer.

Hold fast to your principles.

Easily Confused

Giving Commands 対 Infinitive vs Imperative

Both look like the stem for many verbs.

Giving Commands 対 Imperative vs Present Tense

Some verbs have identical forms.

Giving Commands 対 Imperative vs Polite Request

Learners use the imperative for everything.

よくある間違い

✗

Läsa!

✓

Läs!

Don't keep the infinitive -a for consonant verbs.
✗

Inte gå!

✓

Gå inte!

The negative 'inte' comes after the verb.
✗

Du gå!

✓

Gå!

Don't include the subject pronoun.
✗

Att gå!

✓

Gå!

Don't include the 'att' marker.
✗

Stannaa!

✓

Stanna!

Don't double the vowel.
✗

Kan du gå?

✓

Gå!

Confusing a request with a command.
✗

Gå inte du!

✓

Gå inte!

Adding unnecessary pronouns.
✗

Sitt ner, tack.

✓

Sitt ner, är du snäll.

While 'tack' works, 'är du snäll' is more natural for commands.
✗

Låt oss att gå.

✓

Låt oss gå.

No 'att' after 'låt oss'.
✗

Gå, snälla.

✓

Gå, är du snäll.

Better phrasing for requests.
✗

Vore du snäll och gå.

✓

Var snäll och gå.

Incorrect mood for the request.
✗

Gå, tack.

✓

Var så god och gå.

Formal command structure.
✗

Låt oss att göra det.

✓

Låt oss göra det.

Grammar error.
✗

Gör det, så du får en belöning.

✓

Gör det, så får du en belöning.

Word order in conditional.

Sentence Patterns

___ (verb) nu!

___ (verb) inte ___ (object)!

___ (verb), är du snäll.

Gör ___, så får du ___.

Real World Usage

Recipe very common

Blanda mjölet.

Texting constant

Kom nu!

Job Interview occasional

Var god och sätt dig.

Travel common

Sväng vänster.

Social Media very common

Följ oss!

Food Delivery App common

Tryck på knappen.

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💡

Softening

Always add 'är du snäll' to make your commands sound like polite requests.
⚠️

Directness

Avoid using the imperative with strangers unless it's an emergency.
🎯

Context

Use the imperative for clear, step-by-step instructions.
💬

Politeness

Swedes prefer 'Kan du...' over the imperative for daily tasks.

Smart Tips

Add 'är du snäll' at the end.

Sitt ner. → Sitt ner, är du snäll.

Use the imperative for clear steps.

Du ska svänga höger. → Sväng höger.

Use the imperative for efficiency.

Man ska blanda mjölet. → Blanda mjölet.

Use the negative imperative.

Du får inte gå ut. → Gå inte ut!

発音

GÅ!

Emphasis

The imperative is usually stressed on the first syllable.

Command

Gå! ↘

Falling intonation indicates a firm command.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Just drop the 'a' to make it a command, unless it's already a vowel-ending band!

Visual Association

Imagine a drill sergeant (the verb stem) shouting at a recruit. The recruit is just the base form of the verb, standing tall and ready for action.

Rhyme

If the verb ends in 'a', let it stay; if it ends in a consonant, strip the 'a' away!

Story

You are in a kitchen. You tell the flour to 'Blanda!' (Mix!). You tell the oven to 'Värm!' (Heat!). You tell the sugar to 'Stanna!' (Stay!).

Word Web

GåKomLäsSkrivÄtSittStannaRing

チャレンジ

Write 5 imperative sentences for your daily routine (e.g., 'Borsta tänderna!', 'Drick kaffe!').

文化メモ

Swedes value consensus. Using the imperative can be seen as bossy. Always use 'snälla' or 'tack'.

In fast-paced city life, directness is more common in service settings.

Commands are often softened with local particles.

The Swedish imperative stems from Old Norse, where it was a distinct mood used for direct address.

Conversation Starters

“

Vad ska vi göra idag?

“

Hur hittar jag till stationen?

“

Kan du hjälpa mig med receptet?

“

Vad tycker du om den här boken?

Journal Prompts

Write a list of 5 things you tell yourself to do every morning.
Write a recipe for your favorite dish using commands.
Give advice to a friend who is moving to Sweden.
Write a persuasive call to action for a charity.
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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct imperative form.

___ (att äta) maten!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ät
The imperative is the stem.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Läsa boken!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs boken!
Remove the -a.
Choose the correct negative command. 選択問題

___ (att gå) inte!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gå
Verb stem + inte.
Change to imperative. Sentence Transformation

Du läser boken. -> ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs boken!
Remove subject and conjugate.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hur hittar jag dit? B: ___ (att svänga) höger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sväng
Imperative for directions.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

inte / gå / ut / Gå

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gå inte ut
Correct word order.
Sort into Imperative or Not. Grammar Sorting

Läs, Läser, Läst, Stanna

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs/Stanna
Identify imperative forms.
Match the command to the context. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Mat, 2-Väg, 3-Bok
Contextual usage.

Score: /8

練習問題

8 exercises
Fill in the correct imperative form.

___ (att äta) maten!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ät
The imperative is the stem.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Läsa boken!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs boken!
Remove the -a.
Choose the correct negative command. 選択問題

___ (att gå) inte!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gå
Verb stem + inte.
Change to imperative. Sentence Transformation

Du läser boken. -> ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs boken!
Remove subject and conjugate.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hur hittar jag dit? B: ___ (att svänga) höger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sväng
Imperative for directions.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

inte / gå / ut / Gå

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gå inte ut
Correct word order.
Sort into Imperative or Not. Grammar Sorting

Läs, Läser, Läst, Stanna

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Läs/Stanna
Identify imperative forms.
Match the command to the context. Match Pairs

1. Ät! 2. Sväng! 3. Läs!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Mat, 2-Väg, 3-Bok
Contextual usage.

Score: /8

よくある質問 (8)

Yes, for consonants. For vowels, it's the infinitive.

No, the imperative has no subject.

It can be. Always add 'snälla'.

Add 'inte' after the verb.

No, it's the same for one or many.

Use 'ska vi' for suggestions, not commands.

Yes, it's standard for instructions.

The imperative follows the same rule as regular verbs.

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Imperativo

Swedish is invariant; Spanish is highly conjugated.

French moderate

Impératif

French requires person-specific forms.

German moderate

Imperativ

German distinguishes between formal and informal commands.

Japanese low

Meireikei

Japanese imperative is socially restricted.

Arabic low

Fi'l al-amr

Arabic marks gender and number.

Chinese high

祈使句

Both are stem-based and simple.

Previous
Imperative Form
Next
Giving Suggestions

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