The use of the imperative to address particular people

The imperative, e.g. Wait here!, might be addressed to one person or

several people: you is implied. However, we can get the attention of

the person or people spoken to in the following ways. (For 1st person

plural imperative with let s [> 16.4.1]):

1 You + imperative:

You wait here for a moment.

Intonation and stress are important. If, in the above example, you is unstressed, the sentence means 'this is where you wait'. If it is

9 Verbs, verb tenses, imperatives

stressed, it means 'this is what I want you to do'. When you is

stressed, it might also convey anger, hostility or rudeness:

'You mind your own business¹

You try teaching 40 noisy children five days a week'

Don't (not you) is stressed in the negative:

'Don't you speak to me like that!

2 You + name(s) or name(s) + you: You wait here, Jim, and Mary, you wait there

3 Imperative + name or name + imperative: Drink up your milk, Sally! Sally, drink up your milk!

4 Imperative + reflexive [> 4.25]: