Dutch imperative (gebiedende wijs)
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HideDefinition and usage of the Dutch imperative
The Dutch imperative is used to give an order or command. The sentences generally do not have a subject if an imperative is used. The table below shows the different situations in which this Dutch verb tense is used.
| Situation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| You want to give an order or command. |
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| You want to give an order or command in a polite way. |
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| A command is given in general and not addressed to one specific person. |
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| You want to make a proposal with 'laten we' (let's) |
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Ivetta I. 
David I. 
María Mercedes D. 
Michel B.
Charonie S. 
Guido B.
Jennalee P. 
Nicole H.
Tsarina T.
Anco P.
Conjugation of the Dutch imperative
1. To give an order or command, the imperative is formed with the present tense
of the first person singular, ik (I). The subject is left out here.
| Verb | Imperative | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| gaan (to go) | ga |
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| lopen (to walk) | loop |
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| blijven (to remain/to keep/to stay) | blijf |
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2. To give a more polite order or command, the second person personal, u (you), is used. The personal pronoun has to be added here.
| Verb | Imperative | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| gaan (to go) | gaat u |
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| lopen (to walk) | loopt u |
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| blijven (to remain/to keep/to stay) | blijft u |
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3. If a command is given in general and not addressed to a specific person, the infinitives of the verbs are used. This happens for example on signs in public places.
| Verb | Imperative | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| gaan (to go) | gaan |
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| lopen (to walk) | lopen |
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| blijven (to remain/to keep/to stay) | blijven |
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4. To make a proposal with 'laten we' (let's), the infinitive of the verb is used in combination with 'laten we'.
| Verb | Imperative | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| gaan (to go) | laten we gaan |
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| lopen (to walk) | laten we lopen |
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| blijven (to remain/to keep/to stay) | laten we blijven |
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Train your skills with the exercises about the imperative below!