Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Imperative as invitation

The bare imperative may also function to make an offer or an invitation:

Have some more coffee.

Next time you’re in Manchester, 

come and see us.

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Clause types | 541

---

✪

The bare imperative is a very direct form in English and should be used with

great care in order to avoid the perception of impoliteness. It is not generally

used to make requests/commands or give instructions (e.g. in service

encounters in shops or restaurants) except in cases where people are very

familiar with one another, and except where accompanied by please. 

Û

408–423 Speech acts for the most common ways of requesting, instructing

[to a waiter]

Could we have the bill please?

(Give us the bill.)

Just

and/or please can also soften an imperative:

[customer and market trader]

A: And some peppers, please.

B: Yeah. How many?

A: Just give me two big ones, please.