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Learn to Speak French Online:
French Grammar Guidebook

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Commands

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To give a command in French, use the imperative form of the verb. In commands, the subject pronoun is dropped. The imperative for the polite vous form ends in -ez.
 

Travaillez! Work!
Écoutez bien! Listen well!
Ne téléphonez pas! Do not call!
Ne parlez pas! Do not speak!

The imperative form for the familiar form tu drops the final –s for verbs ending in -er.
 

Appelle ta sœur! Call your sister.
Cherche-le! Look for it!
Va au marché! Go to the market! BUT:
Vas-y! Go ahead!(-s is added back to create the liaison)

Most other verbs do not drop the –s.
 

Prends le métro! Take the metro!
Écris-moi une lettre! Write a letter to me!
Ne pars pas demain! Don't leave tomorrow!


Examples of Commands

  • Bien, madame. Raccrochez. Je vous rappelle quand j'ai la communication.
  • Composez d'abord l'indicatif du pays. C'est le 32.
  • Répétez, s'il vous plaît.