51Թ

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View synonyms for

imperative

[im-per-uh-tiv]

adjective

  1. absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable.

    It is imperative that we leave.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
  2. of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.

  3. Grammar.noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go!



noun

  1. a command.

  2. something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity.

    It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.

  3. Grammar.

    1. the imperative mood.

    2. a verb in this mood.

  4. an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

imperative

/ ɪˈɛəɪ /

adjective

  1. extremely urgent or important; essential

  2. peremptory or authoritative

    an imperative tone of voice

  3. Also: imperatival.grammar denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something that is urgent or essential

  2. an order or command

  3. grammar

    1. the imperative mood

    2. a verb in this mood

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

imperative

  1. A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • imperatively adverb
  • imperativeness noun
  • nonimperative adjective
  • nonimperatively adverb
  • nonimperativeness noun
  • unimperative adjective
  • unimperatively adverb
  • ˈپԱ noun
  • ˈپ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of imperative1

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin پܲ, equivalent to Latin (ܲ) “imposed,” past participle of “to impose, order, command” ( im- im- 1 + -, combining form of “to set, get ready, produce, obtain”; prepare ) + -īܲ -ive
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of imperative1

C16: from Late Latin īܲ, from Latin to command
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He had me in mind to play a doctor in a rural town torn between her duty to help her patient and the imperative to obey restrictive new laws.

From

Bunch’s email to staff stressed that the organization has an imperative to remain nonpartisan.

From

"The Sun is our nearest star, giver of life and potential disruptor of modern space and ground power systems, so it is imperative that we understand how it works and learn to predict its behaviour".

From

"Docking was imperative," Mr Wilmore told BBC News, two months after he and Ms Williams finally made a successful return to Earth.

From

We have a responsibility and imperative to join with others to defeat this fascistic group, which means forming a de facto united front with militarists and corporatists.

From

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When To Use

What is an imperative sentence?

An imperative sentence is a sentence used to give commands or instructions or make requests, as in Give me that. It usually begins with a verb or a verb phrase.Imperative sentences often don’t have an apparent subject. Instead the subject is implied, usually the person who the speaker is giving the commands or instructions to. It is possible to include subjects in imperative sentences by addressing the person separately, as in Joe, hand me that wrench.While imperative sentences often start with verbs, they can also begin with adverbs, as in Carefully move the sofa, or prepositional phrases, as in Without opening your eyes, count to ten.

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imperativalimperator