imperative
/ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv/If something is imperative, it is absolutely necessary and must be done right away. There is no real choice — it has to happen. This word is stronger than 'important' or 'necessary.'
- It is imperative that all students submit the form today.
- The doctor said immediate rest was imperative for recovery.
- In a crisis, clear communication is imperative.
- 1.
An imperative is something that is so important that it must be done. It often describes a strong duty or urgent demand, especially in formal or academic contexts.
- Reducing carbon emissions is now a global imperative.
- The economic imperative forced the company to restructure.
- Access to education is a moral imperative, not a privilege.
- 2.
In grammar, the imperative is the verb form used to give a command, instruction, or request. For example, in 'Open your books,' the word 'open' is in the imperative form.
- 'Be quiet!' is a sentence in the imperative mood.
- Recipe instructions use the imperative: 'Add two eggs, stir well.'
Adinary Nuance
Imperative sits in a cluster with essential, crucial, mandatory, and urgent — but each pulls in a slightly different direction. Essential means something is a core requirement (you cannot do without it), while imperative adds a sense of commanding urgency: action must happen now, not just at some point. Mandatory signals a formal rule or law that requires something; imperative is more about practical or moral necessity, even without a written rule. Crucial focuses on high importance at a critical moment, but lacks the commanding "no excuses" tone that imperative carries. In IELTS and academic writing, imperative is the strongest choice when you want to signal that delay or inaction is simply not acceptable.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Cấp thiết / bắt buộc
- Spanish
- Imperativo
- Chinese
- 必要的
- Japanese
- 不可欠な
- Korean
- 필수적인
Etymology
From Latin "imperativus," meaning "of a command," derived from "imperare" (to command, to rule). The word entered English in the early 16th century, first in grammar to describe command forms, and later expanded to mean "urgently necessary."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'imperative' formal or informal?
- It is formal. You will see it often in academic essays, IELTS writing tasks, business reports, and news articles. In everyday conversation, people tend to say 'really important' or 'urgent' instead.
- What is the difference between 'imperative' and 'essential'?
- 'Essential' means something is a core requirement you cannot do without. 'Imperative' goes a step further — it adds urgency and a commanding tone, suggesting the action must happen immediately and without debate.
- How do I use 'imperative' correctly in a sentence?
- Two patterns work well. First: 'It is imperative that + subject + base verb' — for example, 'It is imperative that the report be submitted today.' Second: 'It is imperative to + verb' — for example, 'It is imperative to act now.' Both are common in IELTS Task 2.
- What does 'imperative' mean in grammar?
- In grammar, the imperative is the verb mood used for commands and instructions. Sentences like 'Sit down,' 'Do not smoke here,' and 'Mix the ingredients well' all use the imperative form.