When are one-word imperatives used?

When the listener knows clearly what action (verb) he has to do but hesitates to do it, the speaker can use a one-word imperative to urge the listener to do it. Right?

For example, the speaker tells the listener to dig a hole, "Can you dig a hole?", but the listener does not do it right away. In this case, the speaker can use the one-word imperative "Dig!" to urge the listener to dig a hole.

For example, you and your child go to a church to pray, but when you pray, your child does not do it. In this case, you will use the one-word imperative "Pray!" to urge your child to pray.

For example, you tell your child to eat his food, but he still does not eat it. In this case, you will use the one-word imperative "Eat!" to urge your child to perform the action of eating.

Sorry for what I said may not be polite, friendly but I just want to know the correct usage of 1-word imperative sentences. Thank you very much!

Question

When are one-word imperatives used?

When the listener knows clearly what action (verb) he has to do but hesitates to do it, the speaker can use a one-word imperative to urge the listener to do it. Right?

For example, the speaker tells the listener to dig a hole, "Can you dig a hole?", but the listener does not do it right away. In this case, the speaker can use the one-word imperative "Dig!" to urge the listener to dig a hole.

For example, you and your child go to a church to pray, but when you pray, your child does not do it. In this case, you will use the one-word imperative "Pray!" to urge your child to pray.

For example, you tell your child to eat his food, but he still does not eat it. In this case, you will use the one-word imperative "Eat!" to urge your child to perform the action of eating.

Sorry for what I said may not be polite, friendly but I just want to know the correct usage of 1-word imperative sentences. Thank you very much!

Answer

Your understanding of one-word imperatives is spot on! They are often used to give direct commands or encouragement when the listener may know what they should do but is hesitant or needs a little nudge.

Here are some key points about their usage:

Urgency or Encouragement: One-word imperatives convey a sense of urgency or encouragement, prompting the listener to take action immediately.

Familiar Context: They are commonly used in familiar contexts where the relationship between the speaker and listener allows for a straightforward command, like between a parent and child or friends.

Clarity: The action implied by the imperative is usually clear from the context, so there's no need for additional explanation.

Emphasis: They can also serve to emphasize a point or reinforce a request, especially when the listener is hesitant.

Your examples—"Dig!" to urge someone to dig, "Pray!" to prompt prayer, and "Eat!" to encourage eating—are all great illustrations of this usage.

Overall, one-word imperatives are a concise and effective way to communicate commands or encouragement!

Answer

Yes well done! You understand it well.

Hurry up, we are running late. (Pause). Hurry!

Answer

I'm confused.  Aren't all imperatives just one word?  Can you give me an example of an imperative that is not one word?

In the sentence "Dig a hole!",  "dig" is an imperative.  "Hole" is an (optional) direct object.  The subject of the sentence, "you", is unspoken.  That's how we form the imperative in English:
"(You) dig a hole!"
"(You) dig!"

Every verb is a one word imperative.

A negative imperative is formed by adding "do not":
"Do not dig a hole!"
"Do not dig!"

You can always add "please":
"Please dig". "Please do not dig".

You can also add "let":
"Let's dig a hole!"    "Let's not dig a hole!"
"Let's dig!"   "Let's not dig!"
which shift the imperative from "dig" to "let".