imperative

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableformal

   So important or urgent that it must be done immediately and cannot be avoided.

   Grammar: Often used with it and that: it is imperative that we act.

   Patterns

   • it is imperative that someone does something
   • it is imperative to do something

   It is imperative that we leave before the storm hits.

   Speed is imperative in an emergency.

   It was imperative to keep the vaccine cold.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   Something that must be done or dealt with because it is extremely important.

   Grammar: Often appears with moral, economic or other describing words.

   Patterns

   • a moral imperative
   • an economic imperative

   Protecting children is a moral imperative.

   The imperative for the company is to cut costs.

   Survival became the only imperative.

3. 3nounsingulartechnical

   The form of a verb used to give an order or request, as in the sentence Close the door.

   Grammar: Usually preceded by the: the imperative.

   Patterns

   • in the imperative

   Sit down is a verb in the imperative.

   Recipes are usually written in the imperative.

   Learners practice forming the imperative in the first lesson.

4. 4adjectivecomparableformal

   Giving a command, or sounding like an order.

   Grammar: Describes tone, a gesture or the grammar mood: an imperative tone.

   Patterns

   • an imperative tone

   He spoke in an imperative tone that no one dared to question.

   She made an imperative gesture toward the door.

   The imperative mood is used for commands.

Word forms

Common combinations

absolutely imperative

It is absolutely imperative that you wear a helmet.

moral imperative

Many see helping refugees as a moral imperative.

imperative mood

The imperative mood is used for giving orders.

imperative to act

Leaders felt it was imperative to act at once.

categorical imperative

Kant's categorical imperative is a famous idea.

Synonyms and how they differ

essential

Essential means necessary, but imperative adds a sense of urgency and demand.

urgent

Urgent focuses on needing quick action, whereas imperative also implies there is no choice.

vital

Vital means critically important to life or success and is less formal than imperative.

compulsory

Compulsory means required by a rule or law, not by circumstances as with imperative.

Opposites

Word family

imperatively adverb

in a commanding or urgent way

imperativeness noun

the quality of being urgent, rare

imperious adjective

bossy and commanding

imperial adjective

relating to an empire

Commonly confused: imperative or imperious? imperative or imperial?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “imperative”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words