The simplest and most straight forward explanation about the qualities of ‘imperative verbs’ is that they are used to give instructions or commands. They guide others and are always in present form.
Imperative verbs guide interaction that happens in the present. As the meaning of ‘imperative’ suggests it is something necessary or urgent at that moment, these verbs are not in past or future tense, nor are they complicated in how they are used. They are active communication that occurs in the ‘now’.
Because imperative verbs are instructive in nature, it is important to note, that there are two inclinations for the verb: ‘positive’ and ‘negative’.
Negative imperatives are used to forbid someone from doing something, it is a firm request and must be used carefully as this ‘verb form’ does exactly what it aims to do, to halt or forbid someone to an action (‘do not’ or ‘don’t’ and ‘never’).
An appropriate way to use a negative imperative is to give a firm warning, for example ‘never swim in the river, it is full of crocodiles’. In contrast, a positive verb sentence like ‘try to reduce sugar intake in your diet’ is a better option to the negative imperative ‘don’t eat sugar’ as the latter may come across too strong and repressive.