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Learn the French imperative mood, essential for giving commands and advice. This lesson covers conjugations for the three imperative persons: tu, nous, and vous, with examples like "Plante une fleur" and "Finissez de manger." Understand special rules, such as the dropped -s in first group verbs, and practical usage. Includes key phrases and differences with English imperatives for A1-level learners.
  1. In the imperative, there are only three persons: "tu, nous, vous".
  2. For verbs of the first group, the -s ending of the second person is dropped.
Verbe PlanterVerbe FinirVerbe Mettre
TuPlante une fleur ici. (Plant a flower here.)TuFinis ton travail ! (Finish your work!)TuMets tes chaussures ! (Put on your shoes!)
NousPlantons des arbres ensemble (Let's plant trees together)NousFinissons nos assiettes. (Let's finish our plates.)NousMettons de l'eau.  (Let's put some water.)
VousPlantez une fleur là-bas.  (Plant a flower over there.)VousFinissez de manger. (Finish eating.)VousMettez des gants !  (Put on gloves!)

Exceptions!

  1. The verb vouloir has only one form in the imperative: veuillez.

Exercise 1: L'impératif

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Plantons, Arrose, partez, Goûtons, Cultive, Cultivez, Entre, Plante

1. Entrer + Tu :
... dans la maison et va dans le jardin.
(Enter the house and go into the garden.)
2. Planter + Tu :
... des fleurs dans le jardin.
(Plant flowers in the garden.)
3. Arroser + Tu :
... la terre pendant mes vacances.
(Water the ground during my holidays.)
4. Partir + Vous :
Vous êtes allergiques au plantes, ... !
(If you are allergic to plants, leave!)
5. Cultiver + Tu :
... du maïs dans le champs.
(Cultivate corn in the field.)
6. Cultiver + Vous :
... des fleurs roses pour les vendre.
(Grow pink flowers to sell.)
7. Planter + Nous :
... des nouveaux arbres dans le parc.
(Let's plant new trees in the park.)
8. Goûter + Nous :
... les fruits frais du jardin.
(Let's taste the fresh fruits from the garden.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. _____ la plante tous les jours pour qu'elle grandisse bien.

(_____ the plant every day so that it grows well.)

2. _____ des graines dans la terre pour avoir des fleurs.

(_____ seeds in the soil to have flowers.)

3. _____ bien le jardin cet été !

(_____ the garden well this summer!)

4. Ne _____ pas aux feuilles des arbres, elles sont fragiles.

(Don't _____ the leaves of the trees, they are fragile.)

5. _____ une rose près du banc dans le jardin.

(_____ a rose near the bench in the garden.)

6. _____ l'herbe le matin pour qu'elle reste verte.

(_____ the grass in the morning so that it stays green.)

Understanding the Imperative Mood in French

The imperative mood in French is a fundamental way to express commands, requests, or advice. Unlike other verb forms, it involves only three grammatical persons: tu (you, singular informal), nous (we), and vous (you, plural or formal). For example, you can say, "Plante une fleur ici." (Plant a flower here.) or "Finissez de manger." (Finish eating.).

Verb Conjugation Patterns

French verbs are categorized into groups based on their endings, which affects how they are conjugated in the imperative. First group verbs, those ending in -er like planter, have a notable rule: the -s at the end of the second person singular disappears (except when followed by en or y). For example, instead of "*Plantes!", you say "Plante!". Other groups, such as verbs like finir (to finish) and mettre (to put), keep their usual conjugations: Finis ton travail! (Finish your work!) and Mets tes chaussures! (Put on your shoes!).

Special Cases

Note that some verbs behave uniquely. For instance, the verb vouloir (to want) only has one imperative form: Veuillez, often used in polite requests.

Practical Usage

This lesson helps you to confidently give instructions or advice in French by mastering imperative verb forms. Examples include:

  • Plante une fleur ici. (Plant a flower here.)
  • Finis ton travail! (Finish your work!)
  • Mettez des gants! (Put on gloves!)

Differences from English

English imperative forms are simpler and do not change with person: "Plant", "Finish", "Put on" remain the same regardless of to whom you are speaking. In French, the form changes depending on whether you’re speaking to one person informally, to a group, or including yourself (let’s...). For example, English "Let’s plant" translates to "Plantons" in French, which is a distinct imperative form. Also, French commands often include pronouns, while English imperatives usually omit them.

Useful phrases to remember:

  • Plante (Plant - you singular)
  • Plantons (Let’s plant - we)
  • Plantez (Plant - you plural or formal)

By understanding and practicing these forms, learners can effectively give commands and advice in French in everyday situations.

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Azéline Perrin

Bachelor Degree in Applied Foreign Languages

Université de Lorraine

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Last Updated:

Monday, 07/07/2025 17:26