Giving an Instruction

Level 1

The base verb can begin a direct instruction: Wait here. A particle is optional and can change the interpersonal tone, so an instruction is already complete without lah or ah.

How It Works

A direct instruction can begin with a base verb and leave the listener unspoken. Wait here tells the listener what to do. Depending on the relationship and tone, the same short frame can be friendly, practical or quite direct.

Please, a question frame or a suitable particle can adjust the interaction, but no particle is required to make an instruction Singlish. Avoid adding lah to every instruction, because that can change its force. Distinguish the instruction from a statement with an explicit doer: You wait here can be understood as an instruction in context, but its shape alone does not decide its tone.

Examples (4)

  1. Wait here.

    Wait here.

  2. Put the cups on this table.

    Put the cups on this table.

  3. Take the lift to level three.

    Take the lift to the third level.

  4. Please leave the door open.

    Please leave the door open.

How It Connects

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

Giving an InstructionLevel 1

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Patterns that build on this one.