Tu, nous, vous: drop the subject; -er loses -s before y/en
The Impératif Présent — Action, Orders & Advice
The imperative is the tense of action. You use it to give commands, advice, or suggestions.
The 3 “Super-Subjects”
The imperative exists only for three persons. Only Tu, Nous, and Vous are used.
Golden rule: Never write the subject.
Examples:
- ✅ Mange ! (Eat!)
- ❌ Tu mange ! → Incorrect
The Endings to Use in the Imperative
Rule: The imperative uses the same endings as the present tense, but only for *Tu, Nous, and Vous.
Summary of endings:
| Person | 1st Group (-ER) | Other Groups (-IR/-RE etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tu | -e (drop s if -ER) | -s |
| Nous | -ons | -ons |
| Vous | -ez | -ez |
Examples:
| Verbe | tu | nous | vous |
|---|---|---|---|
| parler | parle | parlons | parlez |
| finir | finis | finissons | finissez |
| prendre | prends | prenons | prenez |
The “Ghost S” (Verbs in -ER) 👻
The rule: For 1st group verbs (-ER) and the verb Aller, drop the “s” in the 2nd person singular (Tu).
Comparison:
| Verbe | Présent | Impératif |
|---|---|---|
| finir | tu fini_s_ | fini_s_ |
| manger | tu mange_s_ | mange (no “s”) |
👉 This only applies to -ER verbs and Aller. Other verbs keep the “s” (Tu finis → Finis !).
Important Note 2
The Exception to the Exception:** If the verb is followed by "en" or "y", you must add the -s back to make the pronunciation smoother (liaison).
- Manges-en ! (Eat some!)
- Vas-y ! (Go ahead / Go there!)
Key Takeaways
- Imperative is direct and concise, perfect for commands, advice, and instructions
- The imperative exists only for Tu, Nous, and Vous
- Never write the subject (no “Tu” / “Nous” / “Vous”)
- Use present tense endings, with one main exception: -ER verbs drop the “s” in Tu
In the app, you will find interactive exercises and quizzes tailored for this intermediate level.
Practice French conjugation for free in the Croissant Verbs app
Quizzes and spaced repetition for every tense, for free on your phone—plus short grammar guides on our Learn hub.
