imperative

impératif, indispensable

Si important qu’il faut absolument le faire ou que cela doit se produire.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : it is imperative to do something (It is imperative to check the brakes.); it is imperative that… (It is imperative that everyone leave now.)

Synonymes : essential, vital, crucial

Contraires : optional

Expressions courantes : absolutely imperative, imperative to act

impératif

Qui concerne la forme du verbe utilisée pour dire à quelqu’un de faire quelque chose.

En anglais simple : 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.

Expressions courantes : imperative mood, imperative verb, imperative sentence

impérieux

Qui donne un ordre ferme auquel on est censé obéir.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : commanding, authoritative

Expressions courantes : imperative tone, imperative command, imperative gesture

impératif, nécessité

Chose qu’il faut absolument faire parce qu’elle est très importante.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : necessity, requirement, must

Expressions courantes : moral imperative, economic imperative, business imperative

impératif

Forme du verbe qui sert à dire à quelqu’un de faire quelque chose.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : in the imperative (The verb is in the imperative.)

Expressions courantes : the imperative, negative imperative