Grammar · Verb & Sentence Basics
Imperatives & Let’s
Tell a person what to do. Say “don’t”. Say “let’s”. Learn it with the film The Iron Giant.
Grammar › Verb & Sentence Basics › Imperatives & Let’s
The rule in one sentenceSay the word alone to tell a person what to do (Stay here), and put Don’t before it to say no (Don’t move).
About the film
The Iron Giant is a film from 1999. Hogarth is a boy, and the Giant is a very big robot from space. Hogarth talks to the Giant: Stay here. Don’t move. Let’s go!
What does it do?
You want a person to do something. Just say the word. No “you”. No “I”. That is all.
Look at Hogarth. He talks to the Giant. He starts with the word:
To say no, put Don’t before the word. To do it with a friend, say Let’s. Three ways:
“Let’s” is a short form. People say it all the time:
Stay here. (do it) Don’t move. (do not do it)
The word is the same. You only put “don’t” before it to say no.
Do you want to do it with a friend? Say “Let’s” and then the word:
Visual guide
👉 Swipe through Teacher Teddy’s 6-slide illustrated guide to this rule
How to make it
Do the word alone
Stay here, Giant.
Come with me.
No “you” before the wordBe quiet.
Be + quiet / good / carefulDon’t before the word
Don’t move.
Don’t eat that!
Not “no eat”. Not “not eat”.Don’t be afraid.
Don’t + be + afraid / late / sadWhen to use each one
Do — tell a person to do it
Don’t — tell a person not to do it
Words that help: please, always, never
Some small words go with these sentences.
Do → nice words and rule words
Don’t → rule words
“Always” and “never” are for rules and signs: Always close the door. Never touch the fire. Don’t run, please.
Common mistakes
❌ You stay here, Giant.
✅ Stay here, Giant.
Do not say “you”. Just say the word.
❌ Not move!
✅ Don’t move!
To say no, use “don’t”. “Not” alone is wrong here.
❌ Let’s to go home.
✅ Let’s go home.
After “let’s”, just the word. No “to”.
❌ Don’t afraid.
✅ Don’t be afraid.
“Afraid” is not an action. It needs “be”: don’t + be + afraid.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“Let’s not” To say no with “let’s”, we say let’s not. We do not say don’t let’s.
✅ “Let’s not tell Mom.” ✅ “Let’s not go out. It is late.”
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. ___ here, Giant.
Just the word. No “you” → Stay.
2. ___ move!
To say no, use “don’t” → Don’t move!
3. ___ go home.
You and me → Let’s go home.
4. Let’s ___ the Giant.
After “let’s”, just the word. No “to” → hide.
5. ___ afraid. He is a friend.
“Afraid” needs “be” → Don’t be afraid.
6. ___ at this, Giant!
The word alone. No “s” → Look.
7. ___ quiet, please.
“Quiet” needs “be” → Be quiet.
8. Hogarth: “___ eat that, Giant!”
To say no before the word, use “don’t” → Don’t eat that!
Your turn
Choose one word. Then listen to your sentence.
Every word here is correct. Pick one and say it out loud too!
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