:github_url: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_uag/src/branch/master/content/verb_imperative.rst
.. _verb_imperative:
Verb Imperative
===============
Summary
-------
An imperative verb is used to express direct commands, instructions, and
other similar actions with varying degrees of desirability as determined
by the context.

Article
-------
In Biblical Aramaic, the Imperative form is used to express positive
commands or instructions directed to another person(s). Thus, Imperative
:ref:`verbs<verb>`
always appear only in the :ref:`second person<person_second>`.
Imperative verbs can express actions with varying degrees of
desirability, including instructions, requests, permissions,
invitations, assurances, wishes, etc. The context must determine the
nuanced meaning of each instance of an Imperative verb.

Biblical Aramaic does not use the Imperative form to express negative
commands. Rather, prohibitions are expressed with the :ref:`Imperfect<verb_imperfect>` form.

Form
----
.. csv-table:: Pe'al Imperative Paradigm
  :header-rows: 1

  Parsing,Aramaic,Transliteration,Gloss
  masculine singular,כְּתֻב,kethub,"Write!"
  feminine singular,כְּתֻבִי,kethubhiy,"Write!"
  masculine plural,כְּתֻבוּ,kethubhu,"Write!"
  feminine plural,כְּתֻבָה,kethubhah,"Write!"

.. csv-table:: Pa'el Imperative Paradigm
  :header-rows: 1

  Parsing,Aramaic,Transliteration,Gloss
  masculine singular,כַּתֵּב,kattebh,"Write down!"
  feminine singular,כַּתִּבִי,kattibhiy,"Write down!"
  masculine plural,כַּתִּבוּ,kattibhu,"Write down!"
  feminine plural,כַּתִּבָה,kattibhah,"Write down!"

.. csv-table:: Haphel Imperative Paradigm
  :header-rows: 1

  Parsing,Aramaic,Transliteration,Gloss
  masculine singular,הַכְתֵּב,hakhtebh,"Cause to write!"
  feminine singular,הַכְתִּבִי,hakhtibhiy,"Cause to write!"
  masculine plural,הַכְתִּבוּ,hakhtibhu,"Cause to write!"
  feminine plural,הַכְתִּבָה,hakhtibhah,"Cause to write!"


Function
--------
Direct commands or instructions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actions of greater or lesser desirability
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~