Command vs. Imperative — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
A command is an authoritative instruction given by someone in power or in a position of authority, while an imperative is a grammatical mood used to express direct orders, requests, or advice.
Difference Between Command and Imperative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A command is an instruction or directive given by a figure of authority to someone expected to comply, whereas an imperative is the grammatical form used to express these instructions.
Commands are often issued in formal contexts like the military or organizations, while imperatives are simply the grammatical structures like "Close the door" or "Take this."
A command represents the content or intention of an authoritative order, while an imperative is the grammatical tool used to convey that intention, whether the person giving it holds authority or not.
Commands can vary in formality and intent based on the situation and relationship between the speaker and listener, whereas imperatives follow specific rules of grammar regardless of context.
A command can be given verbally, in writing, or through gestures, while imperatives rely exclusively on verbal or written language structures.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Authoritative instruction
Grammatical mood expressing commands
Usage Context
Military, legal, organizational settings
General linguistic context
Authority Required
Usually given by someone in authority
No, depends on the speaker's intent
Forms
Verbal, written, gestures
Verbal or written language
Grammatical Structure
Flexible, may not follow strict syntax
Fixed structure with specific rules
Compare with Definitions
Command
Mastery over a subject or language.
Her command of French is impressive.
Imperative
Grammatical mood used for giving orders or advice.
In the sentence 'Go to the store,' 'go' is an imperative verb.
Command
To direct or lead with authority.
The captain commanded his crew efficiently.
Imperative
Expressing urgency or necessity.
It's imperative that we finish the project on time.
Command
An authoritative order or instruction.
The general issued a command to advance.
Imperative
Direct instructions to the listener.
The phrase 'Sit down!' uses an imperative mood.
Command
Control or authority over a group or situation.
She took command of the meeting and directed the conversation.
Imperative
Requests, instructions, or advice given directly.
Imperative sentences often omit the subject for directness.
Command
Military leadership position.
He has command of the base in this region.
Imperative
A crucial or essential action.
Getting enough rest is imperative for good health.
Command
Give an authoritative or peremptory order
‘Stop arguing!’ he commanded
My mother commands my presence
He commanded that work should cease
A gruff voice commanded us to enter
Imperative
Necessary or urgent
"It is imperative that we continue to move with speed to make housing more affordable" (Timothy Geithner).
Command
Dominate (a strategic position) from a superior height
The fortress commands the shortest Channel crossing
Imperative
Expressing a command or plea; peremptory
Requests that grew more and more imperative.
Command
Be in a strong enough position to have or secure
They command a majority in Parliament
He commanded considerable personal loyalty
Imperative
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request.
Command
An authoritative order
He obeyed her commands without question
Imperative
A rule, principle, or need that requires or compels certain action
"the internal tension in [military] doctrine, between the desire to prescribe a common way of fighting and the imperative of adjusting particular military actions to circumstances" (Eliot A. Cohen).
Command
The ability to use or control something
He had a brilliant command of English
Imperative
A command; an order.
Command
An instruction or signal causing a computer to perform one of its basic functions.
Imperative
The imperative mood.
Command
To direct with authority; give orders to.
Imperative
A verb form of the imperative mood.
Command
To have control or authority over; rule
A general who commands an army.
Imperative
Essential; crucial; extremely important.
That you come here right now is imperative.
Command
To have at one's disposal
A person who commands seven languages.
Imperative
(grammar) Of, or relating to the imperative mood.
Command
To deserve and receive as due; exact
The troops' bravery commanded respect.
Imperative
(computing theory) Having semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
Command
To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over
"He commands any room he enters" (Stephen Schiff).
Imperative
Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
Imperative orders
Command
To dominate by physical position; overlook
A mountain commanding the valley below.
Imperative
The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative.
Command
To give orders.
Imperative
A verb in imperative mood.
Command
To exercise authority or control as or as if one is a commander.
Imperative
(countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
Visiting Berlin is an imperative.
Command
The act of commanding.
Imperative
Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders.
The suit of kings are imperative.
Command
An order given with authority.
Imperative
Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.
Command
(Computers) A signal that initiates an operation defined by an instruction.
Imperative
Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.
Command
The authority to command
An admiral in command.
Imperative
The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.
Command
Possession and exercise of the authority to command
Command of the seas.
Imperative
A mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior
Command
Ability to control or use; mastery
Command of four languages.
Imperative
Some duty that is essential and urgent
Command
Dominance by location; extent of view.
Imperative
Requiring attention or action;
As nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative
Requests that grew more and more imperative
Command
The jurisdiction of a commander.
Imperative
Relating to verbs in the imperative mood
Command
A military unit, post, district, or region under the control of one officer.
Command
A unit of the US Air Force that is larger than an air force.
Command
Of, relating to, or constituting a command
Command headquarters.
A command decision.
Command
Done or performed in response to a command
A command performance.
Command
An order to do something.
I was given a command to cease shooting.
Command
The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
To have command of an army
Command
Power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
He had command of the situation
England has long held command of the sea
A good command of language
Command
A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
General Smith was placed in command.
Command
The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
Command
(military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
Command
Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
Command
(computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
Command
(baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
He's got good command tonight.
Command
A command performance.
Command
(ambitransitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
Command
(ambitransitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
To command an army or a ship
Command
(transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
He commanded silence
Command
(transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
Command
(transitive) To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
The best goods command the best price.
This job commands a salary of £30,000.
Command
(transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
The fort commanded the bay.
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Command
(obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.
Command
To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Go to your mistress:Say, I command her come to me.
Command
To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command.
Command
To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Up to the eastern tower,Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
One side commands a view of the finest garden.
Command
To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Command
To direct to come; to bestow.
I will command my blessing upon you.
Command
To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
Command
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Command
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chiefHad to impose.
Command
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Command
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
Command
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy standWhich overlooks the vale with wide command.
Command
Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Command
A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Command
An authoritative direction or instruction to do something
Command
A military unit or region under the control of a single officer
Command
The power or authority to command;
An admiral in command
Command
Availability for use;
The materials at the command of the potters grew
Command
A position of highest authority;
The corporation has just undergone a change in command
Command
Great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
A good command of French
Command
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Command
Be in command of;
The general commanded a huge army
Command
Make someone do something
Command
Demand as one's due;
This speaker commands a high fee
The author commands a fair hearing from his readers
Command
Look down on;
The villa dominates the town
Command
Exercise authoritative control or power over;
Control the budget
Command the military forces
Common Curiosities
Are commands and imperatives always strict orders?
Not necessarily. They can include requests or advice.
Do all commands use the imperative mood?
Most commands do, but indirect commands might not.
Are commands and requests the same?
No, commands are usually authoritative, while requests can be more polite.
Are commands only used in formal situations?
No, commands can be given informally among friends or family.
Is "imperative" used outside of grammar?
Yes, it's also used to describe something crucial or urgent.
Can imperatives be used without authority?
Yes, anyone can use imperative sentences regardless of their authority.
Is an imperative always positive?
No, imperatives can be negative (e.g., "Don't shout").
Can commands be non-verbal?
Yes, commands can be conveyed through gestures or signals.
Do imperatives always omit the subject?
They often do, but it's implied as "you."
Are commands common in everyday conversation?
Yes, they are often used for instructions or advice.
Can a command be revoked or retracted?
Yes, an authority figure can retract a command.
Can imperatives be used for questions?
No, they don't form questions but can express suggestions (e.g., "Try this?").
Is there a passive form of the imperative?
Not in English; imperatives are usually active.
Can a command consist of multiple imperative sentences?
Yes, complex instructions can involve several imperative sentences.
Is the imperative mood always direct?
Usually, but it can be softened by using polite forms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
