Collins Cobuild English Grammar

You can make an appeal more forceful by putting do in front of the verb.

Oh do stop whining!

Do come and stay with us in Barbados for the winter.

explanations

5.38    You can use the imperative with some verbs when you are explaining something and you want the listener or reader to think about a particular thing or possibility, or to compare two things.

Take, for instance, the new proposals for student loans.

Imagine, for example, an assembly line worker in a factory making children’s blocks.

But suppose for a moment that the automobile industry had developed at the same rate as computers.

For example, compare a typical poor country like Indonesia with a rich one like Canada.

Consider, for example, the contrast between the way schools today treat space and time.

Here is a list of verbs that are used in this way:

compare

consider

contrast

imagine

look at

note

picture

suppose

take

let

5.39    Let is used in imperative sentences in four different ways:

it is used to give an order or instruction

Let Phillip have a look at it.

you use it followed by us when you are making a suggestion about what you and someone else should do. Let us is almost always shortened to Let’s

Let’s go outside.

Let’s creep forward on hands and knees.

you use it followed by me when you are offering to do something

Let me take your coat.

in very formal English, it is used to express a wish.

Let the joy be universal.

Let confusion live!

Let the best man or woman win.

To make a negative suggestion you use Let’s not or, in informal American English, Let’s don’t.

Let’s not stay till the end.

Let’s don’t ask about the missing books. (Am, informal)

Other uses of the declarative, the interrogative, and the imperative

confirming

5.40    You can confirm that something is true by asking a question using the declarative form.

So you admit something is wrong?

Then you think we can keep it?

When you ask a question using the declarative form, you expect a yes-type answer, unless you use a negative construction, in which case you expect the answer no.

‘You mean it’s still here?’ – ‘Of course.’

‘Your parents don’t mind you being out so late?’ – ‘No, they don’t’.

Questions expressed in the declarative form often begin with a conjunction.

So you’re satisfied?

And you think that’s a good idea?

instructing

5.41    In informal spoken English, you can give an instruction by using a declarative sentence with you as the subject.

You put the month and the temperature on the top line.

You take the bus up to the landing stage at twelve-thirty.

You just put it straight in the oven.

offers and invitations

5.42    When you are making an offer or an invitation, you usually use a yes/no-question beginning with a modal such as can or would. This use is explained in detail in paragraphs 5.171 to 5.176.

Can I help you?

Can I give you a lift?

Would you like me to get something for you?

Would you like some coffee?

Would you like to go to Ernie’s for dinner?

You can also make an offer or invitation in a more informal way by using the imperative form. Note that you can only do this when it is clear that you are not giving an order.

Have a cigar.

Come to my place.

Come in, Mrs Kintner.

You add emphasis by putting do in front of the verb.

Do have a chocolate biscuit.

Do help yourselves.

requests, orders, and instructions

5.43    When you are making a request, you usually use a yes/no-question beginning with one of the modals could, can, or would.

Could I ask you a few questions?

Can I have my hat back, please?

Would you mind having a word with my husband?

You can also give an order or instruction using a yes/no-question beginning with a modal.

Will you tell Watson I shall be in a little late?

These uses are explained in detail in paragraphs 5.154 to 5.164.

questions that do not expect an answer

5.44    When you use a yes/no-question to offer help or to make a request, you still expect the answer yes or no. However, people sometimes say things that seem like yes/no-questions, although they do not expect an answer at all. They are using the yes/no-question form to express a strong feeling, opinion, or impression.

For example, instead of saying That’s an ugly building, someone might say Isn’t that an ugly building? Or instead of saying You never seem to get upset, someone might say Don’t you ever get upset?

Questions like these are called rhetorical questions.

Is there nothing she won’t do?

Can’t you see that I’m busy?

Hasn’t anyone round here got any sense?

Does nothing ever worry you?

Another kind of rhetorical question consists of a statement followed by a question tag such as are you? or is it? For example, someone might say So you are the new assistant, are you? or So they’re coming to tea, are they?