Giving Instruction

Giving instruction is an expression that is used in order that other person does what we instruct or request.

Instruction require the person receiving them to do something, or to stop doing it. Instructions are directly addressed to the person who has to do them. Therefore, instructions are one of the few types of English sentences that do not need a subject. The subject is usually “you” (understood). If there is any doubt who should do the instructions, the “naming” form – the vocative is used.

When the commanding word is a verb, you can use the infinitive without to.

         Write the sentences!

         Close the door!

         Sweep the floor!

If you do not use a verb as a commanding word, you use be + adjective.

         Be quiet!

         Be careful!

         Be on time!

When you forbid someone to do something, you use don’t + verb infinitive.

         Don’t touch me!

         Don’t cry!

         Don’t close the web page!

You often put the word “please” at the beginning or at the end of an instruction. You use it to make the instruction sounds more polite.

         Please sit down / Sit down, please.

         Please don’t go / Don’t go, please.