A1 · Iniciante Capítulo 10

Getting Started: Commands and Requests

5 Regras totais
60 exemplos
5 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

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!

O que você vai aprender

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.

Guia do capítulo

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.

Exemplos-chave (8)

1

Open your books to page 5.

Abram seus livros na página 5.

Modo Chefe: Comandos Positivos (Imperativo)
2

Listen to the speaker.

Ouça o palestrante.

Modo Chefe: Comandos Positivos (Imperativo)
3

Don't forget your passport!

Não esqueça seu passaporte!

Imperativos Negativos (Não...)
4

Please don't talk during the movie.

Por favor, não fale durante o filme.

Imperativos Negativos (Não...)
5

Please close the window.

Por favor, feche a janela.

Comandos Polidos (Usando Please)
6

Wait for me, please.

Espere por mim, por favor.

Comandos Polidos (Usando Please)
7

I can speak a little Spanish.

Eu posso falar um pouco de espanhol.

Can: Expressando Habilidade Presente
8

She can run very fast.

Ela pode correr muito rápido.

Can: Expressando Habilidade Presente

Dicas e truques (4)

💡

Sempre na Forma Base

Olha só, para comandos positivos, você sempre usa a forma base do verbo. Sem -s, -ed ou -ing! Mantém tudo simples. Por exemplo: Keep it simple!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Modo Chefe: Comandos Positivos (Imperativo)
💡

Sempre use o verbo na forma base

Depois de 'don't', o verbo principal sempre fica na sua forma mais simples. Nunca adicione -s, -ed ou -ing. Pense nisso como a forma 'nua' do verbo! "Don't go!"
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativos Negativos (Não...)
💡

Na dúvida, use 'please'!

É sério, você nunca será 'educado demais' usando 'please'. Ele deixa seus pedidos amigáveis e respeitosos, principalmente com estranhos ou em novas situações.
Please, could you help me?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comandos Polidos (Usando Please)
💡

Lembre-se: Nada de 'To'!

O 'can' é especial, ele não precisa do 'to' antes do verbo principal. Sempre diga 'I can swim', nunca 'I can to swim'. É uma pegadinha para iniciantes!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressando Habilidade Presente

Vocabulário-chave (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 + ...?

Erros comuns

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

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

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

Wrong: Can I to go?
Correto: Can I go?

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

Wrong: No touch!
Correto: 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

Prática rápida (10)

Escolha a forma correta para completar a frase.

My little sister ___ read yet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can't
'Can't' é a contração correta para 'cannot', indicando incapacidade. 'No can' está incorreto, e 'cannot to' adiciona 'to' incorretamente.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressando Habilidade Presente

Encontre e corrija o erro na frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Can I to use your phone?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can I use your phone?
Depois do 'modal verb' 'can', sempre usamos a forma base do verbo principal, sem 'to'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Pedidos e Permissão

Escolha a forma correta para completar o pedido educado.

______ help me with this box?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
Para fazer um pedido educado, 'Please' é a forma mais direta e comum de começar.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comandos Polidos (Usando Please)

Qual frase está correta?

Escolha a frase correta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Don't touch the paintings.
A forma correta para um comando negativo é 'Don't' + a forma base do verbo ('touch').

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativos Negativos (Não...)

Encontre e corrija o erro neste pedido educado.

Find and fix the mistake:

Don't please open that.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please don't open that.
Quando 'please' está no começo de um comando negativo, ele vem antes do 'don't'. 'Don't open that, please.' também está correto, mas não é uma opção aqui.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comandos Polidos (Usando Please)

Encontre e corrija o erro na frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

He cans play the piano well.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He can play the piano well.
'Can' não recebe o sufixo '-s' para nenhum sujeito. A forma correta é 'can' para todos os sujeitos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Expressando Habilidade Presente

Encontre e corrija o erro no comando.

Find and fix the mistake:

You open the door, please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Open the door, please.
O sujeito 'You' está implícito em comandos e não deve ser declarado. A forma base 'Open' está correta.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Modo Chefe: Comandos Positivos (Imperativo)

Escolha a forma correta

___ be late for the meeting!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Don't
Para comandos negativos, usamos 'Don't' seguido da forma base do verbo. 'Do nots' está incorreto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativos Negativos (Não...)

Escolha a forma correta do verbo para um comando.

___ (listen) carefully to the instructions.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Listen
Para um comando positivo, usamos a forma base do verbo, que é 'Listen'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Modo Chefe: Comandos Positivos (Imperativo)

Escolha a palavra correta para completar o pedido.

___ I borrow your pen?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
'Can' é usado para pedir permissão ou fazer um 'request'. 'Am' e 'Do' não são usados dessa forma com um verbo base.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Can: Pedidos e Permissão

Score: /10

Perguntas comuns (6)

Um comando positivo diz para alguém fazer algo diretamente. Por exemplo, Come here! (Venha aqui!) ou Open your book. (Abra seu livro.)
O imperativo é o 'modo verbal' usado para comandos e pedidos. 'Comandos Positivos' é outro nome para 'Imperativo Positivo'.
Um comando negativo diz para alguém *não* fazer algo. É uma instrução direta para parar ou evitar uma ação, como "Don't run!"
Você simplesmente adiciona 'Don't' antes da forma base do verbo. Por exemplo, 'Eat' vira "Don't eat.".
O principal objetivo do 'please' é deixar um comando ou pedido educado e respeitoso. Ele suaviza o tom, fazendo você parecer amigável em vez de exigente. Por exemplo, em vez de Give me the book!, você diz
Please give me the book.
Você pode colocar o 'please' no começo de um comando, como
Please open the door.
, ou no final, como
Open the door, please.
. Ambas as posições estão corretas e mostram educação.
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