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Donner des ordres
The most common and obvious way to give orders in French is with the imperative mood, which has conjugations for tu, nous, and vous.
Par exemple…
| Dis quelque chose ! | Say something! | |
| Mangeons en ville. | Let’s eat at in town. | |
| Asseyez-vous. | Sit down. |
But the imperative isn’t the only way to give orders – there are several other constructions which offer different nuances and levels of politeness.
1) Present indicative
The present tense is used give orders gently, particularly to children.
Par exemple…
| Maintenant tu lis à haute voix. | Now (you) read out loud. | |
| Vous vous asseyez, les enfants. | Sit down, children. |
2) Future tense
The future can take the place of a vous imperative, to be more polite.
Par exemple…
| Vous patienterez ici, s’il vous plaît. | (You will) wait here, please. | |
| Vous vous assiérez, s’il vous plaît. | (You will) sit down, please. |
3) Subjunctive
Que + subjunctive expresses an order that is generally more hopeful than demanding.
Par exemple…
| Que je réussisse à l’examen ! | Let me pass the test! I hope I pass the test! | |
| Que tu ailles vivre en France ! | May you go live in France! |
This construction is especially useful for third person subjects.
Par exemple…
| Qu’il pleuve ! | Let it rain! | |
| Qu’ils mangent de la brioche ! | Let them eat brioche! |
4) Infinitive
The infinitive is used to give impersonal orders to unknown recipients in written documents like recipes and user guides.
Par exemple…
| Ajouter une cuillerée de jus de citron. | Add a tablespoon of lemon juice. | |
| En cas d’incendie briser la glace. | In case of fire break glass. |
5) Impersonalities
a. The impersonal formula prière de is a more polite version of the infinitive as imperative.
Par exemple…
| Prière de fermer la fenêtre | Please close the window | |
| Prière de ne pas fumer | Please do not smoke |
b. Défense de is typically found on signs.
Par exemple…
| Défense d’entrer | Do not enter | |
| Défense de fumer | No smoking |
c. Impersonal expressions like il est nécessaire and il est impératif act as indirect imperatives.
Par exemple…
| Il est impératif de partir à midi. | It’s imperative to leave at noon. | |
| Il est nécessaire de briser la glace. | It’s necessary to break the glass. |
6) Verbs of obligation
Devoir and the impersonal verb falloir also express orders.
Par exemple…
| Tu dois partir à midi. | You have to leave at noon. | |
| Il faut partir à midi. | It’s necessary to leave at noon. |
Related lessons
- Future tense
- Imperative
- Impersonal expressions
- Impersonal orders
- Impersonal verbs
- Infinitives
- Present tense
- Subjunctive
- Third person imperative
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