imperative
gb/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/ us/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
B2
English
~ 8100
elengedhetetlen, szükségszerűség, kötelesség, felszólító, felszólító mód
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
it is imperative (that) [someone] [verb]
It is imperative that we reduce carbon emissions in the next decade.
Elengedhetetlen, hogy a következő évtizedben csökkentsük a szén-dioxid-kibocsátást.
Given the tight deadline, it is imperative that everyone arrive on time tomorrow.
A szoros határidő miatt elengedhetetlen, hogy holnap mindenki időben érkezzen.
For your safety, it is imperative that you follow all of the instructions closely.
In this situation, rapid communication is imperative to avoid confusion.
It became imperative for the company to cut costs to survive.
Learner examples
It is imperative that you wear a seat belt in the car.
Elengedhetetlen, hogy bekösd a biztonsági övedet az autóban.
It is imperative to drink clean water every day.
Elengedhetetlen, hogy mindennap tiszta vizet igyunk.
For this exam, it is imperative that you read all the questions carefully.
It is imperative for us to leave now if we want to catch the train.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"very imperative" or "more imperative". Because "imperative" already means "very important", modifiers like "very" or comparatives are usually unnecessary or sound awkward. Instead, say "absolutely imperative" or just "imperative". Learners also sometimes use an infinitive directly after a subject (e.g. *"We imperative to leave"), but "imperative" here is used in patterns like "It is imperative to [verb]" or "It is imperative that [subject] [verb]".
Meaning
Absolutely necessary; very important
Collocations
it is imperative that
|absolutely imperative
|morally imperative
|imperative to act
|imperative for us to
Synonyms
essential (Stresses that something is completely necessary, but can sound less urgent than "imperative".)
|
crucial (Very important for success, but not always with the strong sense of duty in "imperative".)
Antonyms
optional (Describes something that a person can choose to do or not do, the opposite of being required.)
|
unnecessary (Says that something does not need to be done at all, contrasting with the strong need in "imperative".)
Themes
work
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important and must be done quickly or carefully.
So important and urgent that it must be done or obeyed.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
kötelesség
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is an imperative (for [someone])
Reducing plastic waste has become an environmental imperative for governments around the world.
A műanyaghulladék csökkentése környezetvédelmi szükségszerűséggé vált a kormányok számára világszerte.
In the next five years, digital transformation will be a strategic imperative for the company.
A következő öt évben a digitális átalakulás stratégiai szükségszerűség lesz a vállalat számára.
For many activists, protecting human rights is a moral imperative.
Economic imperatives often shape a country's foreign policy decisions.
Creating a safe workplace is not just good practice; it is an ethical imperative.
Learner examples
For many people, helping their family is a moral imperative.
Sok ember számára a családjuk segítése erkölcsi kötelesség.
In this industry, fast innovation is a business imperative.
Ebben az iparágban a gyors innováció üzleti szükségszerűség.
Clean water is an environmental imperative in many countries.
For the school, student safety is an absolute imperative.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat this noun as if it meant simply "rule" or "law". While an imperative can be expressed as a rule, the core meaning is an urgent need or duty behind the action. Learners also mix it up with the adjective and say *"this is very imperative" instead of "this is an imperative" or "this is imperative".
Meaning
An urgent need or duty
Collocations
moral imperative
|strategic imperative
|business imperative
|economic imperative
|environmental imperative
|an urgent imperative
Synonyms
necessity (Emphasizes that something is needed, but may sound less strong on duty or responsibility than "imperative".)
|
obligation (Focuses more directly on duty or responsibility, especially moral or legal, while "imperative" mixes duty with urgency.)
Antonyms
option (Something that can be chosen but is not required, opposite of a duty-like "imperative".)
|
luxury (Something nice to have but not needed, contrasting with the must-do nature of an "imperative".)
Themes
business
|politics
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
A very important need or duty that means something must be done.
An urgent need, duty, or principle that makes a particular action necessary.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
felszólító
B2
Usage pattern:
an imperative [noun]
In the sentence "Close the window", the verb is in the imperative form.
A „Csukd be az ablakot!” mondatban az ige felszólító alakban van.
Teachers often use imperative sentences such as "Listen carefully" and "Open your books".
A tanárok gyakran használnak felszólító mondatokat, például: „Figyeljetek oda!” és „Nyissátok ki a könyveteket!”
In English, the imperative mood usually uses the base form of the verb without a subject.
The manual is written mostly in imperative sentences, for example, "Press the red button".
We asked the students to change each statement into an imperative form.
Learner examples
"Sit down" is an imperative sentence.
Az „Ülj le!” felszólító mondat.
The teacher gave us many examples of imperative verbs.
A tanár sok példát mutatott felszólító igealakokra.
In English, we use the base verb for the imperative form.
The book explains how to make imperative sentences like "Turn left" and "Stop here".
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "imperative" (a grammatical term for commands) with "important" and think an "imperative sentence" means a very important sentence. In grammar, "imperative" refers only to the way the verb is used to give orders or instructions.
Meaning
Expressing a command in grammar
Collocations
imperative sentence
|imperative form
|imperative mood
|imperative verb
Synonyms
commanding (Can describe any tone that gives orders; "imperative" in this sense is limited to grammatical forms.)
Antonyms
interrogative (Describes question forms in grammar, which contrast with command-giving imperative forms.)
|
declarative (Describes statements of fact in grammar, not commands.)
Themes
language
|education
|communication
Definition
(Grammar) Describing a verb or sentence that tells someone to do something.
In grammar, describing a form of a verb or sentence that gives a direct command, instruction, or request.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
the imperative (of [verb])
In this chapter we will study the imperative and how it is formed in different languages.
Ebben a fejezetben a felszólító módot tanulmányozzuk, és azt, hogyan képzik különböző nyelvekben.
Use the imperative when you want to give clear, direct instructions to the listener.
Használd a felszólító módot, amikor világos, közvetlen utasításokat akarsz adni a megszólított személynek.
In English, the imperative usually has no subject, as in "Come here" or "Be quiet".
The teacher asked the class to change each sentence from the indicative to the imperative.
Some languages mark the imperative differently depending on whether the command is polite or informal.
Learner examples
The verb "go" is in the imperative in the sentence "Go home".
A „Go home” mondatban a „go” ige felszólító módban áll.
We learned the imperative in our grammar class today.
Ma a nyelvtanórán a felszólító módot tanultuk.
Use the imperative when you give directions, like "Turn left".
The book shows how the imperative looks in different languages.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "the imperative" (the grammatical mood) with the adjective meaning "very important". In grammar explanations, "the imperative" almost always refers to verb forms for commands, not to importance.
Meaning
Imperative mood in grammar
Collocations
the imperative
|in the imperative
|imperative mood
|use the imperative
Synonyms
imperative mood (A fuller technical term; "imperative" alone is the shorter name for the same grammatical mood.)
Antonyms
indicative (The mood used for statements of fact, which contrasts with the command-giving imperative mood.)
|
subjunctive (Another grammatical mood used for wishes or unreal situations, not commands.)
Themes
language
|education
|communication
Definition
(Grammar) The form of a verb used to tell someone to do something.
The grammatical mood used by a verb to express direct commands, instructions, or requests.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imperative
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
US/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
im - per - at - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: imperative
Noun
- Base: imperative
- Plural: imperatives
Word family
Expressions
business imperative
1/bˈɪznɪs ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
Essential requirement for business success
Something a company must do if it wants to stay alive or do well in the market.
Examples
- Reducing costs has become a business imperative in the current economy.
- For many firms, going online is now a business imperative, not a choice.
- Improving customer experience is a key business imperative this year.
categorical imperative
1/kˌætəɡˈɔɹɪkəl ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
Universal moral rule in philosophy
(Philosophy) A moral rule that you must always follow, in every case, no matter what happens.
Examples
- Kant's idea of the categorical imperative has influenced many modern theories of ethics.
- According to the categorical imperative, we should act only in ways that could be a universal law.
- The professor explained the difference between a hypothetical imperative and a categorical imperative.
environmental imperative
1/ɪnvˌaɪɹənmˈɛntəl ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
Urgent need to protect environment
An urgent need to take action to protect nature and the planet.
Examples
- Cutting carbon emissions is an environmental imperative for every country.
- The report highlights the environmental imperative to protect oceans from plastic.
- For the city, creating green spaces is both a social and an environmental imperative.
imperative mood
1/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv mˈud/
fixed phrase
technical
Verb form for giving commands
(Grammar) The way a verb is used when you tell someone to do something.
Examples
- We use the imperative mood to give orders, such as "Stop" or "Listen".
- In some languages, the imperative mood changes depending on who you are speaking to.
- The teacher asked the class to identify which sentences were in the imperative mood.
imperative sentence
1/ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv sˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
technical
Sentence used to give a command
(Grammar) A sentence that tells someone to do something, like "Close the door."
Examples
- "Please sit down" is an example of an imperative sentence.
- The worksheet asks students to change each statement into an imperative sentence.
- In recipes, imperative sentences like "Add salt" or "Stir slowly" are very common.
it is imperative that
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
Stating something is essential to happen
Used to say that it is very important and necessary that something happens.
Examples
- It is imperative that we finish this report before Friday.
- It is imperative that you tell your manager about the problem immediately.
- In the current crisis, it is imperative that governments work together.
it is imperative to
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv tə/
fixed phrase
formal
Stating it is essential to do something
Used to say that doing an action is very important and necessary.
Examples
- In hot weather, it is imperative to drink enough water.
- For this plan to succeed, it is imperative to act quickly.
- When driving in heavy rain, it is imperative to slow down.
moral imperative
1/mˈɔɹəl ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
A duty based on moral values
A very strong feeling that you must do something because it is right or fair.
Examples
- Many people see helping refugees as a moral imperative.
- For the company, paying workers fairly is not just a choice but a moral imperative.
- They argued that protecting the planet is a moral imperative for all of us.
strategic imperative
1/stɹətˈid͡ʒɪk ɪmpˈɛɹɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
Essential action for a strategy
An important action that a company or group must take to reach its long-term goals.
Examples
- Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for many banks.
- Expanding into new markets is our main strategic imperative over the next five years.
- Leaders discussed the strategic imperatives for the next stage of growth.