Year 4 English · Writing non-fiction and editing · Lesson 12.3

Year 4 English: Instructions: imperative verbs and time connectives

Part of the Year 4 English writing non-fiction and editing chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

12.3

Instructions: imperative verbs and time connectives

Year 4
Write instructions with imperative verbs, in numbered steps, Use time connectives to put the steps in order (WV4)

Story. Kofi is teaching his friend how to make a paper aeroplane at break time. He writes the steps down, so that his friend can follow them without asking him a single question.

An instruction tells the reader how to do something. Its steps begin with imperative verbs, which are commands, such as fold or launch. An instruction usually leaves out the subject, so write Fold the paper, not You fold the paper.

Time connectives, such as first, next, then, after that and finally, show the order of the steps. A comma usually follows a connective at the start of a step.

Read the instructions in the box, then answer the questions in exercise 12C.

How to make a paper aeroplane

You will need one sheet of A4 paper and a flat table. Follow the steps in order.

First, fold the paper in half lengthways, then open it out again.
Next, fold the top two corners in towards the centre crease.
Then fold the new edges in again, so that they meet at the centre crease.
After that, fold the paper in half along the centre, with the folds on the outside.
Now fold each wing down, so that its edge lies along the bottom of the plane.
Finally, hold the plane at its middle and launch it gently.

Time connectives put the steps of an instruction in order, from first to last

Key ideas

An instruction tells the reader how to do something, in a sequence of steps.
An imperative verb is a command, such as fold, launch or place.
Do not put You before an instruction: write Fold the corners, not You fold the corners.
Time connectives show the order: first, next, then, after that, finally.
A comma usually follows a time connective at the start of a step.

Worked example 12.3.1

Copy the imperative verb that starts step 1, after the time connective.

Method. Find the command word that comes after the connective in step 1.

Find step 1. Step 1 begins with the time connective First.
First, fold
Find the command. The command word after the connective is the imperative verb.
fold
Check it is a command. Fold tells the reader what to do, so it is imperative.
a command
Write the answer.
fold

Check. Fold is the command that starts the step. ✓

Watch out. The command is the verb, not the connective.

Worked example 12.3.2

Change this into an instruction: You should fold the top corners in.

Method. Remove the subject and the words you should, and start with the command.

Remove the words You should. An instruction does not name the reader.
You should
Start with the command. Fold is the command word, so the instruction starts with it.
Fold the top corners in.
Write the answer.
Fold the top corners in.

Check. The instruction starts with the command Fold. ✓

Watch out. Do not write You before an instruction.

Worked example 12.3.3

Put these steps in order, using the time connectives: Finally, hold the plane. First, fold the paper in half. Next, fold the corners.

Method. Find the connective that comes first, then the next, then the last.

Find First. First is the first connective, so its step comes first.
First, fold the paper in half.
Find Next. Next comes after First.
Next, fold the corners.
Find Finally. Finally comes last, after the other steps.
Finally, hold the plane.
Write the answer.
First, fold the paper in half. Next, fold the corners. Finally, hold the plane.

Check. First, then next, then finally. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a time connective is not a command. In the step Then fold the new edges in, the command is fold, and Then only shows when.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to write a three-step set of instructions for making a sandwich, using first, then and finally. Then ask them to read it back and check that each step starts with a command word.