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English grammar

Telling and asking someone to do something

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

To tell someone what to do, English uses the plain verb with no subject at all: Wait here. Sign here. Take this form. On its own that can sound blunt, so please is what makes it polite — Please wait here. The negative is Do not: Do not go in there. You will meet this form on almost every sign and instruction you read.

Pattern

Wait here. · Please wait here. · Do not wait here.

Examples

  1. Please sit down.

  2. Please sign here.

  3. Take one tablet twice a day.

  4. Do not go in there. It is dangerous.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: You wait here.

    Right: Please wait here.

    An instruction drops the subject. Keeping you makes it sound like an accusation.

  • Wrong: Not go in there.

    Right: Do not go in there.

    A negative instruction starts with Do not.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    A form is in front of you and the clerk points at the line.

    1. Please to sign here.
    2. You please sign here.
    3. Please signing here.
    4. Please sign here.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Please sign here.

    Plain verb, no subject, with please.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. No open this door.
    2. You do not open this door.
    3. Do not open this door.
    4. Not open this door.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Do not open this door.

    A negative instruction is Do not + plain verb.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. You take this medicine twice a day.
    2. To take this medicine twice a day.
    3. Take this medicine twice a day.
    4. Takes this medicine twice a day.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Take this medicine twice a day.

    Medicine instructions use the plain verb.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Please you wait here.
    2. Wait here, please.
    3. Wait here please you.
    4. You waiting here, please.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Wait here, please.

    Please can also come at the end, after a comma.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    _____ not go in there.

    1. Do
    2. Not
    3. Are
    4. Is
    Show answer

    Answer: A Do not go in there.

    A negative instruction starts with Do.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Please _____ in this form.

    1. fills
    2. to fill
    3. filling
    4. fill
    Show answer

    Answer: D Please fill in this form.

    fill in — the plain verb.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    _____ me a minute, please.

    1. Giving
    2. Gives
    3. Give
    4. You give
    Show answer

    Answer: C Give me a minute, please.

    Give — the plain verb, no subject.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    Please _____ slowly.

    1. speaks
    2. to speak
    3. speaking
    4. speak
    Show answer

    Answer: D Please speak slowly.

    speak — the plain verb.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    Please write your name here

    Show answer

    Answer: Please write your name here.

    Please, verb, then the rest.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    Do not use the lift

    Show answer

    Answer: Do not use the lift.

    Do not, then the plain verb.

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