Instructions and advice
French uses the imperative for instructions and advice: , , In this module, it is useful for doctors, medicine, and simple care instructions.
For forms, the imperative usually looks like the present tense without the subject pronoun: → For : For :
With reflexive verbs, the pronoun comes after the verb with a hyphen in positive commands: , . In negative commands, it goes before the verb: .
You also see simple advice with : This is not an imperative form, but it is a very common way to give advice politely.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Open your mouth. | ||
| Open your mouth. | ||
| Breathe in deeply. | ||
| Breathe in deeply. | ||
| Eat fruit. | ||
| Eat fruit. | ||
| Buy something for your throat. | ||
| Buy something for your throat. | ||
| Get up earlier. | ||
| Get up earlier. | ||
| Don’t go to bed too late. | ||
| Don’t go to bed too late. | ||
Ouvrez la bouche.Open your mouth.
Respirez profondément.Breathe in deeply.
Mangez des légumes.Eat vegetables.
Achetez des pastilles à la pharmacie.Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
Levez-vous plus tôt demain.Get up earlier tomorrow.
Ne vous couchez pas trop tard.Don’t go to bed too late.
Appelez-moi à neuf heures précises.Call me at nine sharp.
Allons-y vite !Let’s go quickly!
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
Open your mouth.
.
Breathe in deeply.
.
Eat vegetables.
.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
la bouche.
Open your mouth.
profondément.
Breathe in deeply.
des légumes.
Eat vegetables.
des pastilles à la pharmacie.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
plus tôt demain.
Get up earlier tomorrow.
trop tard.
Don’t go to bed too late.
à neuf heures précises.
Call me at nine sharp.
vite !
Let’s go quickly!
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
des légumes.
Eat vegetables.
des pastilles à la pharmacie.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
plus tôt demain.
Get up earlier tomorrow.
trop tard.
Don’t go to bed too late.
à neuf heures précises.
Call me at nine sharp.
vite !
Let’s go quickly!
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
Open your mouth.
Eat vegetables.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
Get up earlier tomorrow.
Don’t go to bed too late.
Call me at nine sharp.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Open your mouth.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Open your mouth.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Breathe in deeply.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Breathe in deeply.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Eat vegetables.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Eat vegetables.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Buy lozenges at the pharmacy.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
