Observations on the imperative

a. It is seen from the above table that French has three true imperative forms of command : the tu, nous, and vous forms, whereas English has but two corresponding forms, — one, the you form, and the other, the obsolescent thou form. Therefore, we may well say that English really has only one true imperative form of command, the you form, which is used to express the formal vous as well as the familiar tu form.

b. As English has no true imperative corresponding to the French nous form, it has been necessary to make use of the circumlocution let us in translating it.

c. In the same way, as the French have no true imperative for the expression of the remaining three persons, i.e., ist singular, 3d singular, 3d plural, the present subjunctive forms que je porte, que je finisse, etc., were employed. These subjunctive forms, which express a wish rather than a command, were probably originally preceded by some expression of desire or of entreaty, as, je veux, I wish, or voulez-vous, do you wish, that was dropped in the course of time.

18. Position of object pronouns. — Notice that object pronouns precede the verb (the auxiliary in a compound tense) in all cases except one, the case of the positive imperative of command, when they follow.1

Ne les vendons pas à l'homme. Let us not sell them to the man.

Qu'il les finisse pour Marie. Let him finish them for Mary.

Donnez-le à Jean. Give it to John.

19. Irregular verbs. — Study in the Appendix faire, to do,2 make, and its compound, satisfaire, to satisfy.

1 For a more extended treatment of the position of object pronouns, see Sections 31, 32.

2 Do not confuse the different values of do, did, etc. : / do it, je le fais; I do s ing, je chante ; I did it, je l'ai fait ; 7 did sing, j'ai chanté.

EXERCISE

(a) 1. Let us begin that long lesson. 2. Let him close his trunk, for the man is waiting at the door. 3. Harness the black horse for your father. 4. Let us sing a song for our cousins. 5. Don't throw the water on the grass; throw it into the street. 6. Let us wash those windows; they are very dirty.