imperative

So important that it must be done or must happen.

• Quick action is imperative.
• It is imperative to protect the water supply.
• For their safety, it was imperative that they stay together.

How to use it: it is imperative to do something (It is imperative to check the brakes.); it is imperative that… (It is imperative that everyone leave now.)

Similar words: essential, vital, crucial

Opposites: optional

Common phrases: absolutely imperative, imperative to act

Describing the form of a verb used to tell someone to do something.

• Use an imperative verb here.
• Imperative sentences often have no stated subject.
• The teacher explained the negative imperative form.

Common phrases: imperative mood, imperative verb, imperative sentence

Giving a firm order that someone is expected to obey.

• His imperative tone made everyone listen.
• She spoke with an imperative voice.
• An imperative gesture sent the guards to the door.

Similar words: commanding, authoritative

Common phrases: imperative tone, imperative command, imperative gesture

Something that must be done because it is very important.

• Protecting children is a moral imperative.
• Cutting waste has become a business imperative.
• The government faces several competing economic imperatives.

Similar words: necessity, requirement, must

Common phrases: moral imperative, economic imperative, business imperative

A verb form used to tell someone to do something.

• Write this verb in the imperative.
• The imperative can express a request as well as an order.
• We practiced negative imperatives in class.

How to use it: in the imperative (The verb is in the imperative.)

Common phrases: the imperative, negative imperative