Open les classeurs, it’s time for some “direction” on giving

directions

Turn left at the stop light.

When you pass the church, you will turn right.

First, you must pass the post office, then continue on two more streets.

Cross the bridge and look to your left, follow that street and it’s just around the corner.

To tell someone to do something, use the imperative form of the verb.

There are TROIS forms of imparative verbs in French. They are the “tu”, “nous” et “vous” forms.

This is the command form of the verb… « Write » «  Do »

« Listen! »

This means that you ALREADY know the conjugations of the verbs!This means that you ALREADY know the conjugations of the verbs!

« ER »

es

ons

ez

tu

nous

vous

Tu passes le bureau de poste et après l’école.

Nous mangeons notre dîner.

Vous continuez et allez vers l’église..

These conjugations work for REGULAR verbs ONLY!

The first form is the “tu” form.Used to address ONE person (informally). -- Tell ONE person to do something

For “-er” verbs ONLY, find the “tu” conjugation, then

DROP the final “s”. -- EXEMPLE: tu passes passe tu traverses traverse

-- Passe les légumes! (Pass the vegetables!)-- Traverse le pont! (Cross the bridge!)

With the imperative…NEVER use a stated subject

-- Tu manges les sandwiches

HOWEVER, a subject might be stated (if not previously referred to) so that the audience knows who the command is directed toward.

-- Nicolas, mange les sandwiches!

This is called a « directrice » because it directs your attention!

This is called a « directrice » because it directs your attention!

directricedirectrice

Verbe à l’impératifVerbe à l’impératif

Use the “nous” command… to tell a group INCLUDING yourself to do

something.

EXEMPLE:

Allons au cinéma! (Let’s go to the movies!)

Écoutons la radio. (Let’s listen to the radio)

To form the “nous” command…

ALL verbs use the present tense “nous” conjugation WITHOUT the subject.

Manger – mangeons! (let’s eat)

écouter-- écoutons! (let’s listen)

Prendre -- prenons! (let’s take/ have)

Boire-- buvons! (let’s drink)

Aller-- Allons! (let’s go!)

The “vous” command is the most used.

Use the “vous” form to give instructions to… 1.) a group of people NOT including yourself 2.) a single person you wish to be formal with

3.) when ever it is a general statement, and you are not certain who the listeners all are.

EXEMPLE:

Fermez la porte! (Shut the door)

Finissez les devoirs! (Finish the

homework!)

ALL types of verbstake the present tense “vous” conjugation use it without the subject to express the

command form.

Écoutez Mme! (Listen to Mme!)

Allez au tableau! (Go to the board!)

Prenez la pizza! (Take the pizza!)

Buvez votre lait! (Drink your milk!)

Traversez la rue. (Cross the road)

This is the form that I use in class when I speak to YOU as a group!

(tu) Regarde!

(nous) Regardons!

(vous) Regardez!

« er » régulier:« REGARDER »

Fais

Faisons

Faites

irrégulier:« FAIRE »

Va

Allons

Allez

irrégulier:« ALLER »

To make a command negative, vous… Put « Ne… pas » around the conjugated verb

Ne mange pas le chocolat avant le dîner! N’allons pas à la boulangerie sans moi! N’travesez pas la rue sans regarder des deux

côtés!

A negative command means, «don’t »…

Use the negative command to… Tell someone NOT to do something Suggest that a group NOT do something