The imperative has both voices, active and passive, but only one tense,—the present. It has both numbers, the singular and the plural, but only one person, the second. It has the same form for both the singular and the plural.
267. 1. The imperative active is the verb in its simplest form.
For examples, see [§ 266].
The imperative of the verb to be is be. Thus,—
- Be brave.
- Be careful.
- Be sure you are right.
- Be here at noon.
2. The imperative passive is a verb-phrase consisting of be and a past participle.
- Be trusted rather than feared.
- Study your failures and be instructed by them.
268. The subject of an imperative is seldom expressed unless it is emphatic.
The subject, when expressed, may precede the imperative: as,—You sit here.
Note. In older English, the subject often followed the imperative: as,—Go thou, Go you, Hear ye. This use is now confined to the solemn style and to poetry.