Lecture Notes: L'Impératif in French

Introduction

• Presenter: Deepti Directoris from Here and Now The French Institute
• Topic: Understanding l'impératif in French
• Objectives:
  • Define what l'impératif is
  • Learn how to form it
  • Understand where to use it

What is L'Impératif?

• L'impératif is a grammatical "mode" in French.
• Similar to conditional, indicative, and subjunctive modes.
• Used for expressing instructions, orders, or advice.
• Focus of the lecture: l'impératif in the present tense.

Conjugation of L'Impératif

• Present Tense Conjugation of "parler" (to speak)
  • Indicative Mode: je parle, tu parles, il/elle parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils/elles parlent
  • Imperative Mode: parle (2nd person singular), parlons (1st person plural), parlez (2nd person plural)
• Characteristics:
  • Only conjugated for three persons: tu, nous, and vous.
  • Subject is not included in the sentence.

Forming L'Impératif

• Forms used: tu, nous, vous forms
• Reason: Used when addressing someone or in a group.

Conjugation Endings

• -ER verbs: -e, -ons, -ez
  • Note: No 's' for tu form in imperative with -ER verbs.
• -IR verbs: -is, -issons, -issez
• -RE verbs: -s, -ons, -ez

Examples

• "Allons à la classe" - Let's go to the class.
• "Écoutez votre prof" - Listen to your professor.
• "Mange des légumes" - Eat your vegetables.
• "Finissez vos devoirs" - Finish your homework.

Usage of L'Impératif

• Used for giving orders, instructions, advice, or warnings.
• Negative Form:
  • Uses "ne" before the verb and "pas" after the verb.
  • Example: "Ne fume pas" - Don't smoke.
• "Nous" Form Equivalence:
  • Equivalent to "let's" in English.
  • Examples:
    • "Allons pour un film" - Let's go for a movie.
    • "Apprenons le français" - Let's learn French.

Important Notes

• Imperative cannot be used for giving orders in first person singular (je) or third person singular/plural (il, elle, ils, elles).
• Only applicable for tu, nous, and vous forms.

Conclusion

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• Final Note: "Au revoir and happy learning French!"