Topics

Present

Past

Past to Present

Future

Abilities - Responsibilities

Asking Questions

Choosing the Right Phrase

Combining Verbs

Explaining Ideas

Describing Your World

Complex Ideas

Relating Ideas, People, Objects

Speaking about Objects

Wondering about Situations

Instructing

Imperative

The imperative form is used to give instructions in both spoken and written English. At times, the imperative form is considered impolite when speaking English. When providing instructions, use the imperative. However, when requesting that someone do something use a polite question form.

Positive Form:

Verb + objects

Look at the link to the quiz on netiquette I retweeted.

Negative Form:

Do + Not + Verb + objects

Do not worry about dumbed down software.

Giving Directions

Common phrases used to give directions:

Take the first left / right
bus to...
train to...
subway to...
tube to...

Turn left / right at...

Go straight ahead
past...
along...Street / Road / Avenue.

It's next to...
near to...
opposite...
between...
on the left / right of...

"Insert the CD into the CD drive, turn on the computer, and click yes when the computer asks if you'd like to update your operating system."

Add dynamic content to your webpage in order to improve your page ranking.

"Press the control button, the alt button, and then the delete button simultaneously while chanting the word 'newbie.'"

Examples of Giving Instructions

Select your e-mail client based on your marketing needs.

Purchase a dual boot computing system.

"Type in the words ""internet nostalgia"" into Google, then follow the first link to my essay about Usenet and newsgroups."

Do not worry about dumbed down software.