Imperative sentences in English. How to express permission in English: verbs let, allow, permit What is let s

Mood

Mood (Mood) is a grammatical category that expresses the attitude of action to reality established by the speaker. The speaker may view the action as a fact or event of reality, or as a conjectural, unreal, imaginary action, or as a desired action. In English, as in Russian, there is three moods: indicative, imperative and subjunctive.

Forms Indicative mood (The Indicative Mood) express actions as real or planned as real. These actions can be expressed in the form of all those types of temporary and collateral forms, which were described above. These forms are fundamental in the transmission of information and communication.

Forms Subjunctive mood (The Subjunctive Mood) express unreal or problematic actions that are imagined in the speaker's imagination as desirable, possible or expected.

I wish I were now at the seaside.How I would like to be on the seaside now. (I wish/want (that) I was now...)

Imperative Mood.

A verb in the imperative mood expresses an impulse to action in the form of an order, proposal, advice, warning, request, etc.

Affirmative form the imperative mood coincides in form with the infinitive without a particle to(dictionary form):

to go go to stop stop to read read to translate transfer to speak speak

Go! Go! Stop! Stop! Read! Read it! Translate! Translate! Speak! Speak!

Subject in such sentences absent. Request, order, advice, etc. are usually addressed to 2nd person unity and many more numbers. The sentence is pronounced with a lower tone on the last stressed syllable.

Tell me about it.	Tell me me about this.
Go to the blackboard!	Go to the blackboard!
Come to see us tonight.	Come) to us this evening.

Negative form expressing a prohibition to perform an action, formed using an auxiliary verb do and negative particle not. Instead of don't the abbreviation is usually used don't[dount]:

Don't talk !	Do not speak)!
Don't open the door.	Do not open the door.
Don't listen to him.	Don't listen to him.
Don't smoke here!	Don't smoke here!
Don't be angry with me.	Do not be angry with me.
Don't cross the street here!	Don't cross the street here!

Strengthened form. Auxiliary do can also be used in the affirmative form of the imperative mood to emotionally enhance the request:

Do sit down.	Yessit down same.
Do come to see us tonight.	Definitelycome to us in the evening.
Do come and help me.	Well,come as well asHelp to me!
Do turn the TV set off .	Yesturn off TV!
Do forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt you.	WellSorry me, I didn't mean to offend you.

Polite form. If at the end or beginning of an imperative sentence there is the word pleasePlease, then the order softens and turns into a polite request:

Come here, please!	Come over here please!
Close the door, please.	Close door please.
Follow me, please!	Go for me please.
Don't tell anyone, please.	Please,do not tell me to no one.

Using you. The offer is addressed to the 2nd party. Although the pronoun you, indicates this person, is usually not mentioned in the incentive sentence; its presence gives the incentive offer a tinge of emotional irritation:

You stop talking!	Come on,stop it chatter!
You leave me alone!	Yesleave you leave me alone!
You take your hands off me!	Come onput it away from me your hands!

If two verbs are used, then between them is placed and:

Go and buy some milk.	Go buy it milk.
Now collect the dictionaries and take them to the library.	Nowcollect dictionaries And take it them to the library.

Adverbs alwaysAlways And nevernever are placed before the semantic verb.

Always remember your mistakes.	Always remember own mistakes.
Never say that again!	Nevermore than that Not speak .

In a text, the imperative form is usually recognized by absence of subject, dictionary form(infinitive) of the verb and usually what follows it direct object:

Air the room!	Ventilate(those) room!
Book these seats for today.	Order these places for today.

When contacting 3rd person verb used let . Between let and the infinitive of the verb is a noun in the general case or a personal pronoun in the objective case (him, her, them, etc.), indicating the person who must perform the action. Verb let pronounced without accent:

Let's him do it himself.	Let He it's himself will do .
Let's her stay here.	Let she will remain Here.
Let's them speak .	Let They they will say . Let them tell.
Let's Victor open the window.	Let Victor will open window.

When contacting 1st person plural ( We), that is, when we are talking about a call or invitation to joint action, the form is used let us, which is usually shortened to let's, which translates as " Let's" (in translation this word may be omitted altogether):

Let's 's go .	Let's go to . Went .
Let's "s hurry. We are late.	Let's hurry . We are late.
Let's 's go to the cinema tonight.	Let's go to the cinema tonight.

When the speaker expresses a desire to perform an action himself after let pronoun is used me(although it should be noted that this form has no imperative meaning at all):

Let's me come in.	Let me to come in.
Let's me think.	Give) think. (Let me think)
Let's me do it myself.	Let me do it yourself.

The negative form is formed either by placing a negative particle not before the semantic verb, or using don't (don't)- then the negation is directed to the verb let, which in this case fully retains its meaning as " allow, allow":

Let's him not do it. Don't let him do it.	Let He Not does this. Do not allow to him do this.
Don't let him smoke here.	Don't allow to him smoke here.
Let's 's not argue about it.	Let's not argue about it.

Order; advice, instructions:

Wake up !	Wake up !
Sit down !	Sit down !
Go on reading.	Continue read.
Switch on the light, Mary.	Mary,turn it on light.
Don't worry !	Don't worry !
Turn right.	Turn right.
Buy some bread.	Buy of bread.
Go straight ahead.	Go straight ahead.

Warning; ban:

Be careful.	Be attentive.
Don't do it!	Don't this!
Don't talk !	Do not speak) !
Mind your head!	Don't hit yourself head!

Request; invitation:

Don't forget me!	Do not forget me!
Help me, please.	Help me please.
Do come in !	Well, come in !
Come in , children.	Come in , children.
Help yourself!	Help yourself! Help yourself !
Have some more coffee.	Have a drink more coffee.

Offer; wish; swear word:

Let's walk.	Let's go to Let's take a walk.
Have a nice trip!	Have a nice trip!
Go to hell!	Go to hell!

In one of our recent articles we looked at how to use modal verbs to express permission. If you want to ask for permission, give permission or prohibit, then use the modal verbs can, may, could, might depending on the situation and context of communication.

Verbs are used to talk about what is allowed or prohibited let, allow, permit. All of them are translated as "allow, allow", but are used differently. If we consider them from the point of view of their formality, then let is the most colloquial, and permit is used in formal contexts. Let's look at the similarities and differences between these verbs.

Let's

Verb let translated as "allow, permit" and used with addition(Who?) and infinitive without the particle to:

His parents always let him stay out late. - His parents always allow him to stay out late.

Her mother let her go to the disco. - Mom allowed her to go to the disco.

The teacher let me correct some mistakes in my paper. - The teacher allowed me to correct mistakes in my work.

The verb let is usually not used in the passive voice, that is, it is necessary to indicate who exactly performed the action. You can't say: I wasn't let go to a party, it will be right:

Mother didn't let me go to a party. - Mom didn’t let me go to the party.

Let can only be used in the passive voice in some cases if followed by a preposition (for example, with phrasal verbs):

They let me in. - They let me in.
The old man was let through the queue. - The old man was missed in line.

Allow, permit.

Allow And permit in most dictionaries the following are presented as synonyms: allow, allow. Therefore, many mistakes are made, since dictionaries do not explain the differences in the use of synonymous verbs. Let us remind you that permit is a formal verb; it can be found in documents and official contexts. Permit conveys permission without exception, for everyone, and denotes a certain rule or requirement.

Allow is a more colloquial verb. Allow is more appropriate when it comes to a specific situation, when asking permission to do something. Some may be allowed, but others may not.

Although the meanings of the verbs allow and permit are almost the same, there are both similarities and some differences in their usage. Let's look at them.

Let's start with the fact that after both verbs follows addition(who is allowed) and infinitive with the particle to:

She allowed me to come in. - She allowed me to enter.
The teacher permitted the students to leave earlier. - The teacher allowed the students to leave early.

It is important to remember that before adding (who is allowed) not used pretext to. You can't say: They allowed/permitted to me. It would be correct to say:

They allowed/permitted me. - They allowed me.

Both verbs can be used in, in which case the object becomes the subject:

I wasn"t allowed/permitted to enter the room. - I was not allowed/permitted to enter the room.
You are allowed/permitted to park on the premises of our company. - You are allowed to park on company premises.

Sometimes we don't know who exactly is giving permission. In this case they speak Russian "allowed" or "allowed", in English it is necessary to use the impersonal subject it: "It is allowed...". If the subject of the sentence is it, then we can only use permit, since allow is not used with an impersonal subject:

It is not permitted to take pictures in the museum. - Photography is prohibited in the museum.
It was permitted to ask questions during the press-conference. - During the press conference, questions were allowed.

If you still prefer to use allow , then use passive voice without it:

You are not allowed/ permitted to take pictures in the museum. - You are not allowed to take photographs in the museum.

You are allowed/permitted to ask questions during the press-conference. - You are allowed to ask questions during the press conference.

Both verbs can be used if the subject is gerund:

Taking pictures is not allowed/ permitted. - Photography is not allowed.
Asking questions during the press-conference is allowed/permitted. - You are allowed to ask questions during the press conference.

With prepositions and adverbial particles (in, out, over, up, down etc.) only allow is used, not permit:

They didn't allow me in. - They didn't allow me to enter.
Tom's father doesn't allow him out alone. - Tom's father doesn't allow him to go out alone.

Nouns

Since we are talking about resolution, I wanted to add a few words about nouns. The verbs we talked about form nouns: from the verb allow comes the noun allowance, and the verb permit has two nouns: permit And permission. The verb let does not form a noun with a similar meaning.

Although the noun allowance comes from the verb allow, it has several meanings. Meaning "permission, permission" is not basic and is used mainly in formal contexts, as it implies legality, legality of something. The first and main meaning is "cash allowance, maintenance, pocket money".

Noun permit - permission (usually written, official) issued by special institutions:

building permit- building permit
work permit- work permit

Please note that the verb permit is pronounced , and the noun is pronounced ["pɜːmɪt]. Permit is a countable noun, so you can use article A.

As for the noun permission - it is not the "full" form permit, as some are inclined to believe. Permission is permission (but not necessarily written), someone's approval, permission. Permission is an uncountable noun (as opposed to permit), therefore not used. It is necessary to indicate with the word permission, who gives permission. This is achieved using:

Your permission - your permission
my father's permission - my father's permission
the teacher's permission - teacher's permission

If it is necessary to emphasize that the permission is in writing, then this is specified separately:

written premission- written permission.

Compare two examples that illustrate the semantic differences between the two nouns:

You must get a work permit to get a job abroad. - You need to obtain a work permit to get a job in another country.
You must get written permission from your parents to go abroad. - You need to get written permission from your parents to travel to another country.

Now you know what the fundamental differences are between the verbs that express permission: let, allow and permit. Try to remember and practice speech patterns with them, this will help you always speak without mistakes.

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Our speech is not complete without a request, order, advice, invitation, prohibition, command, etc. We know that in English there are three moods: indicative mood, conditional mood and imperative mood mood). The imperative mood in English or imperative mood which expresses the urge to action. And of course, verbs are involved here.

The affirmative form of the imperative mood will help us with this. This form of the imperative mood of the verb in English is represented by the initial form without the particle to, that is, the form that we see in the dictionary. In such sentences there is no subject, but only verbs and minor members of the sentence. Advice, orders, requests, etc. are addressed to the second person, both singular and plural.

Examples of requests, advice and orders in English:

• Close the window, please, it is cold. — Close the window, please, it’s cold
• Read this book, it is very interesting. — Read this book, it’s very interesting.
• Speak with Thomas, he knows what to do. - Talk to Thomas, he knows what to do
• Look at me. - Look at me
• Come to me on Sunday. - Come see me on Sunday.

A request, advice, etc. can also be expressed in a negative form:

• Don't be afraid, please! - Don't be afraid, please!
• Please, don’t tell Andy anything. - Please don't say anything to Andy.
• Don’t watch that movie, it is boring. - Don't watch this movie, it's boring.

Order and prohibition in the imperative mood

A prohibition or an order is expressed in a sharper, more rigid form. As a rule, an exclamation point is placed at the end of such sentences:

• Close the door! - Close the door!
• Shut up! - Shut up!
• Sit down! - Sit down!
• Shut your mouth! - Shut up!
• Bring your copy-book right now! - Bring your notebook right now!

If we want to express a prohibition in English, then we usually use the negative form of the imperative mood + the verbs we use:

• Don't open! - Do not open!
• Don’t call me, I am busy! - Don't call me, I'm busy!
• Don't touch me! - Dont touch me!
• Don't enter! - Do not enter!
• Don't smoke! - Do not smoke!

Let is an auxiliary verb in the conditional mood

The imperative mood in English allows for various variations. If you want to address the first or third person in the conditional mood, then the verb will help you let(allow, permit), followed by a direct object (noun or pronoun). This addition identifies the person to whom the order is given or who is asked for something. After this construction there is an infinitive of the verb without a particle to:

• Let me see your photo. - Let me see your photo (let me see)
• Let me have a look at this. - Let me look at this
• Let him speak! - Let him speak!
• Let them help us! - Let them help us!
• Let her put on this dress. - Let her wear this dress.

If you want to express an invitation or call to joint action, then the formation of such a form of the imperative mood in English requires the use of the construction let us (let's). It is translated with the word “let’s”, or is completely omitted.

• Let us discuss this question. - Let's discuss this issue
• Let's see what we can do with this. - Let's see what we can do about it
• Let's begin our lesson. - Let's start our lesson
• Let's invite them to us! - Let's invite them to us
• Let us be polite. - Let's be polite.

It is also worth mentioning the strengthened form of the imperative mood. In English it is expressed by the verb “ do» before verbs in the imperative mood. Remember simple examples:

• Do be attentive! - Be careful!
• Do finish your work, you are so lazy! - Well, finish your work, you are so lazy!
• Do forgive me: I didn’t want to insult you! - Well, forgive me: I didn’t want to offend you!

This is what it is - the imperative mood in English. As you can see, nothing complicated. There are no additional auxiliary verbs, changes in tenses, etc. Therefore, we wish you good luck in using the imperative mood in speech!

To Let means to allow, for example:

She lets her children play until 10 p.m.

There is also a second meaning - “to rent out”.

She lets her apartment to a young couple.

No matter how paradoxical it may seem, let’s in its meaning is not far from its predecessor.

Using the expression Let's

Let's is a shortened form of the two words let and us. Typically, this abbreviation is used to denote commands for the first person plural (i.e., "we"). Sentences with this word usually end in an exclamation point. However, if the team expresses minimal enthusiasm, you can call it a day.

Let's invite him to our place!

Let's finish it today.

You don’t have to shorten it - use it let us, but it’s better to do this in some formal contexts. As a rule, parties at home are not such a serious event.

So the difference is this:
Let's is the third person singular form of let.
Let's is a plural form of the command, which is translated into Russian as “let’s...”.

You can observe the use of the English words lets and let's using examples:

He lets the dog out every evening.

Let's tell our friends the whole truth.

How to test yourself?

To make sure you are using the words lets or let's correctly, try replacing 'let's' with the synonym 'allow us to' when you are building a command. This is, of course, an additional measure, but if you are not sure, it is better to play it safe. For example:

With ‘Let’s’ it is necessary: ​​Let’s have a snack. - “Let's have a snack.”

With ‘allow us to’: Allow us to have a snack.

The second option makes sense. Of course, it is too formal, but grammatically correct. In writing, you are unlikely to replace ‘let’s’ with ‘allow us to’, but keeping this replacement in mind, you are unlikely to make a mistake with your choice.

To remember better, here is a table with examples of the use of Lets and Let's.

Table. Examples of using Lets and Let's.

Let's go to the mall.

Sally lets her brother use her bicycle on weekends

Guys, let's go to the beach.

Okay. We're all ready. Let's go.

Let’s stop now and have some lunch, shall we?

Let's not argue about money.

My mother lets me come.

Jenny lets her leave early.

My boss lets me leave early.

Let's have a drink.

Alice's mum lets her come with us.

A few notes on using let's

Let's remember that after let"s comes the infinitive without the particle to.

If you want to make up a question “with a tail” with this phrase, or, as it is called in English, a tag question, then this return question looks like this - shall we?

It's hot outside. Let's go to the beach, shall we?

If you want to refuse such an offer, then you need to answer ‘No, let’s not’.

You also need to remember that let is only used in the present simple tense. If you want to play with tenses, then use its substitute - allow to do something.

They didn't allow us to leave the house.

She has never allowed her children to tell lies.

In conclusion, let's note that let is also .

To better understand the material, we suggest you take a short test on your knowledge of the words lets and let's.

Test. Which is correct, Lets or Let's?

01 She ___ the dog out every morning

02 ___ consider all the facts.

03 ___ forget this ever happened.

04 Google ___ you find the web page you were looking for.

05 ___ see how it can be done.

These sentences are used to motivate a person to do something. An order, a request, a prohibition, and so on, they are all imperative sentences. There are two types of imperative sentences: affirmative and interrogative.

Let's consider affirmative sentences:

1). These sentences begin with a predicate, the subject is omitted

Example:

Give me a pencil - Give me a pencil.

Read this article - Read this article.

2). Direct word order

Example: Don`t forget to call her- Don't forget to call her.

Interrogative sentences:

1). Will you or won`t you are often placed at the end of imperative sentences

Open the door, will you? - Open the door, please.

Wash the dishes, won`t you? - Wash the dishes, please.

2). An imperative sentence can begin with will or would.

Example: Would you close the window? - Close the window, please

Sentences with let`s - come on

Let`s stands for let us - let us. After let`s is used without the particle to.

Example:

Let`s play piano - Let's play the piano.

Let`s have a party - Let's have a party.

Also at the end of sentences with let`s shall we is often used.

Example:

Let`s dance, shall we? - Let's Dance

Let`s go to the park, shall we? - Let's go to the park

In imperative sentences you can only use let

Example:

Let her come in- Let her come in!

Let them take it - Let's take it.

Often, to express the imperative form, you can simply use it without the particle to.

Example:

Go left- Go left

Write the letter - Write a letter

The negative form in an imperative sentence is formed using an auxiliary verb do and negative particle not

Example:

Don`t do it - Don't do this!

Don`t cry - Don't cry.

In order to strengthen the request, place it before the verb. do

Example:

Do watch this movie - Be sure to watch this movie!

Do let her come in- Let her come in!