Aspect in Instructions

Level 5

Perfective imperatives often ask for a complete, bounded action. Imperfective imperatives often present an activity, repetition or continuation.

How It Works

A perfective command can set a clear endpoint: Zatvori vrata. An imperfective command can guide how an activity proceeds: Govori polako. The choice is about the view of the event, not simply how polite the speaker is.

Imperfective imperatives also occur in invitations and immediate prompts such as Ulazi! Context can make this an invitation to enter now. It would be misleading to label every imperfective imperative habitual or every perfective one abrupt.

For prohibitions, imperfective forms are common: Ne otvaraj taj prozor. The alternative nemoj + infinitive can work with different aspects. Keep the intended event and situation in mind rather than mechanically switching every negative command to one aspect.

Examples (3)

  1. Pročitaj upute prije početka.

    Read the instructions before starting.

  2. Dok govorim, zapisuj važne riječi.

    While I am speaking, write down the important words.

  3. Ne otvaraj vrata nepoznatim ljudima.

    Do not open the door to strangers.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Aspect in InstructionsLevel 5

Learn This First

Command viewpoint combines the imperative with the lexical aspect distinction.