Often Used Every Day, Here is a Complete Explanation of Imperative Sentences
YOGYAKARTA - What is an imperative sentence? An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that serves to give an order, request, invitation, or prohibition to someone to take an action.
In everyday life, this sentence is often used in conversations, instruction texts, and in formal writing such as official letters and announcements. The following will discuss the meaning of the imperative sentence according to, its characteristics, and the various types that are often used in Indonesian.
The Meaning and Characteristics of Imperative SentencesAccording to Rahardi in his book Pragmatik: Kesantunan Imperatif Bahasa Indonesia (2005), an imperative sentence is a sentence that contains a request for the speech partner to take action according to the speaker's words. This means that this sentence is used to direct someone's actions with a certain intention.
Meanwhile, according to Waginah Dwi Nuryaningsih in the book "Arranging Effective Sentences with CII" (2021), an imperative sentence is a sentence that serves to give orders to others to do something. So, the essence of an imperative sentence is the will of the speaker for the interlocutor to take certain actions.
Based on these two expert opinions, it can be concluded that an imperative sentence is a sentence used to give instructions or directions to others.
Imperative sentences can be conveyed directly or indirectly depending on the situation and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. In a formal context, the imperative form is usually made more subtle so that it sounds polite and does not offend.
Imperative sentences have several distinctive features that distinguish them from other types of sentences such as declarative or interrogative sentences. Imperative sentences are usually ended with a exclamation mark (!) as a marker of a firm command, but in certain contexts it can also be ended with a period (.).
In addition, if spoken orally, imperative sentences are usually accompanied by a descending intonation at the end of the sentence. Imperative sentences also often use duty words such as please, please, please, please, please, and so on.
The next characteristic of an imperative sentence is that the sentence structure is usually in the form of inversion, namely the predicate precedes the subject (Predicate + Subject), as in the example "Bring me that book."
Finally, the perpetrator of the action in the imperative sentence is not always explicitly mentioned. For example, in the sentence "Close the door!" it is not mentioned who should close the door, but the meaning is clear, it is directed at the interlocutor.
Types of Imperative SentencesBased on its function, the imperative sentence is divided into four types, namely ordinary imperative sentences, imperative sentences of request, imperative sentences of permission, and imperative sentences of command.
Imperative SentencesThe usual imperative sentence, that is, a direct command sentence such as "Close the window!" or "Turn off the light!" This type is used to give a command firmly and clearly without additional softening words.
Imperative Sentence RequestThe imperative sentence of the request is usually accompanied by the words please or please, for example "Please help me carry this stuff." Sentences like this sound more polite and polite.
Imperative Sentence of PermissionImperative sentences such as "Please sit down" or "You can go home now." This type gives freedom or permission to the interlocutor to take action.
Imperative SentenceImperative sentences are used to tell someone to do something. For example, "Try to study harder" or "Please be calm during the exam."
All types of sentences above have the same function, namely to direct the interlocutor to act according to the speaker's wishes, only different in the context of their use.
This is an explanation of what an imperative sentence is. By understanding the meaning, characteristics, and types of imperative sentences, we can use this sentence form appropriately in various situations.