3 STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS, IMPERATIVES ETC PAGE 20
c An adverbial with a negative meaning can come in front position for extra
emphasis. This can happen with phrases containing the negative words
neither, nor, seldom, rarely, hardly
and auxiliary.
no, never,and the word only. There is inversion of subjectAt no time
did the company break the law.Compare:
The company did not break the law at any time.Under no circumstances
should you travel alone.Compare:
You should not travel alone under any circumstances.Never in my life
have I seen such extraordinary behaviour.Compare:
The telephone had been disconnected.
I have never seen such extraordinary behaviour in my life.Nor was there any electricity.Compare:
There wasn't any electricity either.Seldom
did we have any time to ourselves.Compare:
We seldom had any time to ourselves.Only in summer
is it hot enough to sit outside.Compare:
It's only hot enough to sit outside in summer.The pattern with inversion can sound formal and literary, although
informal.
no way isNo way
am I going to let this happen.NOTE
a A phrase with
not can also come in front position for emphasis.Not since his childhood
had Jeff been back to the village.Compare:
Jeff had not been back to the village since his childhood.b For inversion after
no sooner and hardly, • 250(5).18 Questions
This is a short introduction to questions. For more details about questions and
answers, • 2 1 .
Doctor:
Where does it hurt?Patient:
Just here. When I lift my arm up.Doctor:
Has this happened before?Patient:
this.
Well, yes, I do get a pain there sometimes, but it's never been as bad asDoctor:
I see. Could you come over here and lie down, please?The most basic use of a question is to ask for information, e.g.
Where does it hurt?~
come over here, please?
Just here. But questions can have other uses such as requesting, e.g. Could youThere are wh-questions and yes/no questions. Wh-questions begin with a
question word, e.g.
and auxiliary. • 23
Statement Question
where, what. In most questions there is inversion of subjectIt hurts
just here. wh-: Where does it hurt?This has PAGE 21
19 The imperative19 The imperative
1 Form
The imperative form is the base form of the verb. It is a second-person form. When
I say
form, and for emphasis we use
Positive:
Come in, I mean that you should come in. The negative is do not/don't + basedo + base form.Come in.Read
the instructions carefully.Negative:
Do not remove this book from the library.Don't make
so much fuss.Emphatic:
Do be careful.NOTE
We can use other negative words with the imperative.
Never
touch electrical equipment with wet hands. Leave no litter.2 Use
a The basic use of the imperative is to give orders, to get someone to do something.
The speaker expects that the hearer will obey.
Teacher (to pupils):
Get out your books, please.Doctor (to patient):
Just keep still a moment.Boss (to employee):
Don't tell anyone about this.Traffic sign:
Stop.b But an imperative can sound abrupt. There are other ways of expressing orders.
I want you to
just keep still a moment.You must
hand the work in by the weekend.You mustn't
tell anyone about this.We often make an order less abrupt by expressing it as a request in question form.
Can you
get out your books, please?Could you
just keep still a moment?It is generally safer to use a request form, but the imperative can be used
informally between equals.
Give
me a hand with these bags.Hurry
up, or we're going to be late.NOTE
When an imperative is used to tell someone to be quiet or to go away, it usually sounds
abrupt and impolite.
Shut
up. Go away - I'm busy. Get lost.c If a number of actions are involved, the request form need not be repeated for
every action.
Can you get out your books, please?
photo. Then
Open them at page sixty and look at thethink about your reaction to it.3 STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS, IMPERATIVES ETC PAGE 22
3 Other uses of the imperative
Slogans and advertisements:
Save
the rainforests.Visit
historic Bath.Suggestions and advice:
Why don't you spend a year working before you go to college?
your studies and learn something about the real world.
Take a year off fromWarnings and reminders:
Look
Always
out! There's a car coming.switch off the electricity first.Don't forget
your key.Instructions and directions:
Select
the knob. The light will come on and the machine will start.
Go along here and
the programme you need by turning the dial to the correct number. Pull outturn left at the lights.Informal offers and invitations:
Have
a chocolate.Come
to lunch with us.Good wishes:
Have
a nice holiday. Enjoy yourselves.NOTE
Have a chocolate. =
Would you like a chocolate?Have a nice holiday.
= I hope you have a nice holiday.4 Imperative + question tag
After an imperative we can use these tags:
can you? can't you? could you?
will you? won't you? would you?a We can use a positive tag after a positive imperative.
Teacher:
Get out your books, will/would/can/could you?The meaning is the same as
tag is more informal.
A negative tag expresses greater feeling.
Doctor:
Will you get out your books? but the pattern with theKeep still, won't/can't you?This suggests that the doctor is especially anxious that the patient should keep still,
or annoyed because the patient cannot keep still.
b In warnings, reminders and good wishes, the tag is
imperative and
won't you? after a positivewill you? after a negative.Have a nice holiday,
won't you?Don't forget your key,
will you?In offers and invitations the tag is
Have a chocolate,
will you? or won't you?will/won't you?These tags make the sentences more emphatic.
PAGE 23
19 The imperative5 The imperative with a subject
We can mention the subject
you when it contrasts with another person.I'll wait here.
You
You go round the back.can also make an order emphatic or even aggressive.You
be careful what you're saying.NOTE
a A few other phrases can be the subject.
All of you
sit down! Everyone stop what you're doing.b The negative
don't comes before the subject.Don't you
talk to me like that.6
Leta
Let's (= let us) + base form of the verb expresses a suggestion.It's a lovely day.
Let's sit outside.Let's
Let's
have some coffee (,shall we?).suggests an action by the speaker and the hearer. Let's sit outside means thatwe
The negative is
should sit outside.let's not or don't let's, and for emphasis we use do let's.Negative:
Let's not waste any time./Don't let's waste any time.Emphatic:
Do let's get started. We've wasted enough time already.NOTE
a For American usage, • 303(3).
b The long form is formal and old-fashioned.
Let
us give thanks to God.b
Let me means that the speaker is telling him/herself what to do.Let me
think. Where did I put the letter?Let me
Let me think
see what's in my diary. Let me explain.means 'I'm going to think./Give me time to think.'NOTE
Let
can also have the meaning 'allow'.Oh, you've got some photos.
Let me see./May I see?c After
let we can put a phrase with a noun.Let the person
Let the voters choose
who made this mess clean it up.the government they want. Let them decide.Let them decide
means 'they should decide'.NOTE
There are two special sentence patterns with a similar meaning to the imperative. Both the
subjunctive and
may can express a wish.God
save the Queen.May
your dreams come true.These patterns are rather formal and used only in limited contexts.
3 STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS, IMPERATIVES ETC
PAGE 247 Overview: imperative forms
Person Positive Negative Emphatic
FIRST
Singular
Let me play a record.Plural
Let's play tennis. Let's not play/ Do let's play soon.Don't let's play
here.SECOND
Play fair. Don't play that record. Do play a record.+ subject
now. silly game.
You play the piano Don't you play thatTHIRD
Let the music play.20 Exclamations
An exclamation is a sentence spoken with emphasis and feeling. We often use a
pattern with
how or what.1
How and whatCompare these patterns.
Question:
How warm is the water?Exclamation:
How warm the water is!The exclamation means that the water is very warm. It expresses the speaker's
feeling about the degree of warmth.
After
how there can be an adjective or adverb.How lucky
How
you are! How quickly the time passed!can also modify a verb.How
we laughed!After
what there can be a noun phrase with a/an or without an article.What a journey
we had! What idiots we've been!The noun phrase often has an adjective.
What
a stupid mistake you made! What lovely flowers these are!An exclamation can also be just a phrase with
how or what.How
lucky! What a journey! What lovely flowers!2 Other exclamations
Any phrase or short sentence can be an exclamation.
Oh no! Lovely! You idiot! Stop! Look out! Oh, my God!
There is usually a greater rise or fall of the voice than in other types of sentences.
In writing we use an exclamation mark (!).
3 Exclamations with a negative question form
Some exclamations have the form of a negative question. The voice rises then falls.
Aren't
you lucky! (= How lucky you are!) Didn't we laugh! (= How we laughed!)PAGE 25
4
Questions and answers
21 Summary
The use
of questions • 22We use questions to ask for information and also for requests, suggestions,
offers etc.
Inversion in questions
• 23In most questions there is inversion of the subject and auxiliary.
Statement:
You have written a letter.Question:
Have you written a letter?Yes/no questions and wh-questions
• 24These are the two main kinds of question.
yes/no:
Have you written a letter?wh:
What have you written?Wh-questions: more details
• 25A question word can be subject, object, complement or adverbial.
subject or object.
Who can beWho
told you? (subject)Who
did you tell? (object)Question words: more details
• 26A question word can also be a determiner.
What/Which
day are they coming?The choice of
We can use
what or which depends on the number of possible answers.how on its own or before an adjective or adverb.How
did you find out?How far
is it to Newcastle?We can modify a question word.
Why exactly
do you need this information ?OVERVIEW:
Question phrases
We can form question phrases with
question words • 27• 28what and how.What time
is your train?How much
does it cost?4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Answering questions
Most answers to questions can be just a word or phrase.
• 29What are you writing? ~
A letter to Kate.We often use a short answer with
Have you written the letter?
yes or no.~ Fes, I have.Negative questions
A question can be negative.
• 30Haven't you answered the letter yet?
Questions with
We can use
or • 31or in a question.Are you sending a card
or a letter?Questions without inversion
In informal conversation a question can sometimes have the same word order
as a statement.
• 32You've
written a letter?Indirect questions
We can ask an indirect question.
• 33I'd like to know
what you've written.Question tags
We can add a question tag to a statement.
• 34You've answered the letter,
haven't you?Echo questions and echo tags
We can use an echo question or echo tag to react to a statement.
• 35I've written the letter.
~ Oh, have you?22 The use of questions
BUYING A TRAIN TICKET
Travel agent:
Can I help you?Customer:
Do you sell rail tickets?Travel agent:
Yes, certainly.Customer:
I need a return ticket from Bristol to Paddington.Travel agent:
You're travelling when?Customer:
Tomorrow.Travel agent:
coming back?
Tomorrow. That's Friday, isn't it? And when are youCustomer:
Oh, I'm coming back the same day.Travel agent:
Are you leaving before ten o'clock?Customer:
It's cheaper after ten, is it?Travel agent:
Yes, it's cheaper if you leave after ten and return after six o'clock.Customer:
What time is the next train after ten?Travel agent:
Ten eleven.PAGE 26
PAGE 27
23 Inversion in questionsCustomer:
Oh, fine. Could you tell me how much the cheap ticket is?Travel agent:
Twenty-one pounds.Customer:
Can I have one then, please?1 The most basic use of a question is to ask for information.
What time is the next train?~
Ten eleven.2 But we can use questions in other ways, such as getting people to do things.
This happens especially with modal verbs, e.g.
can, shall.Requesting:
Can I have one then, please?Making suggestions:
Shall we take the early train?Offering:
Can I help you?Asking permission:
May I take one of these timetables?3 There are also 'rhetorical questions', which do not need an answer.
What do you think will happen?~
Who knows?You're always criticizing me, but
have I ever criticized you?Fancy meeting you here. It's a small world,
isn't it?NOTE
A question can be answered by the person who asks it.
What is the secret of United's success? Manager Terry Clark believes that it is the players'
willingness to work for each other and for the team.
23 Inversion in questions
1
Statement Question
In most questions there is inversion of the subject and auxiliary.You are
leaving today. Are you leaving today?The train has
got a buffet. Has the train got a buffet?We can
sit here. Where can we sit?If there is more than one auxiliary verb (e.g.
comes before the subject.
Statement Question
could have), then only the first oneI could
have reserved a seat. Could I have reserved a seat?2 In simple tenses we use the auxiliary verb
do.Statement Question
You like train journeys.
Ox:
They arrived at six.
You do like train journeys. Do you like train journeys?Or:
They did arrive at six. Did they arrive at six?4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PAGE 28
3
Statement Question
Be on its own as an ordinary verb can also come before the subject.The train was
late. Was the train late?My ticket is
somewhere. Where is my ticket?4
For short questions, • 38(3).I thought something might go wrong.
~ And did it?~ I'm afraid so.For questions without the auxiliary and
you, • 42(2).Leaving already?
(= Are you leaving already?)24 Yes/no questions and wh-questions
1 Ayes/no question can be answered
Do you sell rail tickets?
Will I need to change? ~ No, it's a direct service./I don't think so.
yes or no.~ Yes, we do./Certainly.The question begins with an auxiliary
(do, will).2 A wh-question begins with a question word.
When
are you going? What shall we do? How does this camera work?There are nine question words:
who, whom, what, which, whose, where, when, whyand
For intonation in yes/no and wh-questions, • 54(2b).
how. For an overview, • 27.25 Wh-questions: more details
1 A question word can be subject, object, complement or adverbial. Compare the
positive statements (in brackets).
Subject:
Who can give me some help?(Someone
Object:
can give me some help.)What will tomorrow bring?(Tomorrow will bring
something.)Complement:
Whose is this umbrella?(This umbrella is
Adverbial:
someone's.)When are you coming back?(You are coming back
some time.)Where
is this bus going?(This bus is going
somewhere.)Why
did everyone laugh?(Everyone laughed
for some reason.)When a question word is the subject, there is no inversion. The word order is the
same as in a statement.
Who can
give me some help?But when a question word is the object, complement or adverbial
then there is inversion of the subject and auxiliary. For details, • 23.
(not the subject),What
will tomorrow bring? Whose is this umbrella?PAGE 29
25 Wh-questions: more detailsNOTE
a A question can sometimes be just a question word. • 40
I'm going to London. ~
When?b A question word can be part of a sub clause.
What
did you think I said? (You thought I said something.)When
would everyone like to leave? (Everyone would like to leave some time.)c A question can have two question words.
When and where
did this happen? Who paid for what?2 Compare
Subject:
who as subject and object of a question.Who invited you to the party? ~ Laura did.(Someone
Object:
invited you.)Who did you invite to the party? ~ Oh, lots of people.(You invited
someone.)Who
saw the detective?(Someone saw him.)
Who
did the detective see?(He saw someone.)
Here are some more examples of question words as subject.
What
happens next? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?