imperative
/ɪmˈperətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈperətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈper-ə-tiv -ˈpe-rə-/ (ame, mw) · /ɪmˈper.ə.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈper.ə.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa)
imperative — 形容詞
- imperativepositive
- more imperativecomparative
- most imperativesuperlative
1. Something that is imperative is so important or serious that it leaves no room f
緊急；迫切
必須立即處理的
Something that is imperative is so important or serious that it leaves no room for choice or delay — it must be done, dealt with, or addressed immediately.
It is imperative that the power be turned off before anyone enters the building.
任何人進入大樓前都必須切斷電源，這一點至關重要。
that-clause with subjunctive: 'it is imperative that + verb(base form)'
The doctor said it was imperative to begin treatment right away.
醫生表示立即開始治療是當務之急。
it is imperative + to-infinitive
Getting enough clean water is imperative for survival in the desert.
在沙漠中獲得足夠的乾淨飲水是生存的必要條件。
Sora believes that financial reform is imperative for the country's future.
Sora 認為金融改革對這個國家的未來至關重要。
The government declared it imperative to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.
政府宣稱必須在 2030 年前減少碳排放。
- optional
something you may choose to do or not do
- unimportant
carrying little or no significance
文法句型
it is imperative that + clause (subjunctive)
it is imperative to + infinitive
用法筆記
This sense is often used in the pattern 'it is imperative (that)...' with the subjunctive mood in formal English: 'It is imperative that he be notified' (not usually 'he is notified'). In everyday conversation, speakers may use the indicative ('that he is notified') or switch to the to-infinitive pattern ('It is imperative to notify him').
常見錯誤
2. Used for the verb form that tells someone to do something — for example, 'Stop!'
祈使的
動詞祈使語氣的
Used for the verb form that tells someone to do something — for example, 'Stop!' or 'Please take a seat.' In English, this form uses the base verb alone, without adding a subject.
In the sentence 'Please close the door,' the verb 'close' is in the imperative mood.
在「請關上門」這句話中，動詞「關上」是祈使語氣。
imperative mood with example quotation
Mayumi wrote a list of imperative verbs for her English homework.
Mayumi 為她的英文作業列了一份祈使動詞的清單。
When giving instructions, chefs often use the imperative form, such as 'Chop the onion finely.'
廚師下指示時經常使用祈使句，例如「把洋蔥切碎」。
The imperative verb 'Listen' at the start of the speech caught everyone's attention.
演講開頭的祈使動詞「聽」引起了大家的注意。
Many public signs, such as 'Keep off the grass,' use the imperative mood.
許多公共告示，例如「勿踏草地」，都使用祈使語氣。
- commanding
used for the general quality of giving orders, not the grammatical term
- instructive
more about teaching than commanding
文法句型
imperative + noun (imperative verb / imperative form / imperative mood)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the noun sense 'IMPERATIVE MOOD / COMMAND FORM' (noun/1): this adjective sense describes a verb form ('imperative verb', 'imperative mood'), while the noun sense names the grammatical category itself ('the imperative'). For a discussion of the subjunctive form with 'it is imperative that...' see adjective sense 1 (URGENT/IMPORTANT).
常見錯誤
3. Having or showing a tone, manner, or quality that expresses authority and expect
命令式的
帶有權威強制意味的
Having or showing a tone, manner, or quality that expresses authority and expects to be obeyed, even without stating a direct order.
The head teacher's imperative tone made the students fall silent at once.
校長命令式的語氣讓學生們立刻安靜下來。
imperative + tone / manner
Eli entered the room with an imperative stride that made everyone look up at once.
Eli 帶著一股不容質疑的步伐走進房間，讓所有人立刻抬頭看他。
Élise used an imperative gesture, pointing firmly toward the exit.
Élise 用了一個命令式的手勢，堅定地指向出口。
The general's letter was written in short, imperative sentences that left no room for doubt.
將軍的信以簡短而帶有命令意味的句子寫成，絲毫不留商量餘地。
The queen's imperative gaze made the servant quickly bow and step aside.
女王威嚴的目光使僕人迅速鞠躬退到一旁。
- commanding
the closest synonym; suggests natural authority that draws attention
- authoritative
suggests recognised expertise or the right to give orders
- imposing
emphasises impressive size, strength, or presence rather than verbal authority
- submissive
willing to obey others without resistance
- humble
showing a modest opinion of one's own importance
用法筆記
This sense describes a person's tone, manner, or bearing — not a situation that requires urgent action. Unlike sense 1 (URGENT/IMPORTANT), it cannot be used in the 'it is imperative that...' pattern. This sense is less common than the other two adjective senses and is mostly found in formal or literary writing.
常見錯誤
imperative — 名詞
- imperativesingular
- imperativesplural
1. The grammatical category that covers verb forms used for commands, requests, and
祈使語氣
動詞的命令形式
The grammatical category that covers verb forms used for commands, requests, and instructions. In English, commands like 'Sit down' use the base verb without the subject 'you.'
The imperative in English omits the subject and uses the base verb form.
英文的祈使語氣省略主詞，直接使用動詞原形。
the imperative + base verb form rule
Darius found the imperative easy because it matches the infinitive form.
Darius 覺得祈使語氣很容易學，因為它和不定詞的形式相同。
The imperative sounds rude without 'please' — compare 'Give me the book' and 'Please give me the book.'
祈使語氣不加「請」字聽起來很無禮——比較「把書給我」和「請把書給我」。
Teachers use the imperative when telling students to turn to a page.
老師要求學生翻到某一頁時，會使用祈使語氣。
The negative imperative places 'do not' before the verb, as in 'Do not run.'
要形成否定祈使句，請在動詞前加上「不要」，例如「不要跑」。
- command
refers to one specific order, not the whole grammatical category
- order
broader and less technical than 'imperative'
- instruction
softer than 'command'; often used for directions and guides
文法句型
the imperative
in the imperative
用法筆記
Distinguish from adjective sense 2 (GRAMMAR: IMPERATIVE MOOD): that sense describes a verb form ('imperative verb', 'imperative mood'), while this noun sense names the grammatical category itself. You can say 'the imperative is easy to learn' (noun) but not 'the imperative verb is easy to learn' with the same meaning (adjective + noun).
常見錯誤
2. Something that is so important or urgent that it must be done or addressed witho
當務之急
極重要且必須做的事
Something that is so important or urgent that it must be done or addressed without any question or delay, and is often seen as a duty or an unavoidable requirement.
Protecting the rainforest has become an economic imperative for the region.
保護雨林已成為該地區的經濟要務。
economic imperative + for + domain
For Hassan, finding a new job was a financial imperative after his savings ran out.
對 Hassan 來說，積蓄用盡後找到新工作是財務上的當務之急。
National security is a political imperative that no government can afford to ignore.
國家安全是任何政府都無法忽視的政治要務。
Reducing energy use is a moral imperative in the fight against climate change.
減少能源使用已不再是選項，而是在對抗氣候變遷中的道德要務。
The company saw digital transformation as a competitive imperative to stay ahead of rivals.
該公司將數位轉型視為領先對手的競爭要務。
- necessity
broader and less formal; something that must happen
- obligation
focuses on moral or legal duty rather than urgency
- requirement
a more neutral term; something set as a condition
- option
something you may choose to do or not do
文法句型
a/an + adjective + imperative
adjective + imperative + for + noun
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives that name the domain of the obligation: 'moral imperative' (ethical duty), 'economic imperative' (financial necessity), 'political imperative' (governing necessity). This is a stronger and more formal word than 'necessity' or 'duty' — it suggests the situation leaves no acceptable alternative.