adj.緊要的；必要的；祈使的

n.緊要的事；命令；義務(wù)；驅(qū)使

It is imperative that we make a quick decision. 我們要盡快做出決定。

It's imperative that you apologize to him immediately. 你必須立即向他道歉。

"Go!" is in the imperative mood. “Go！”是祈使語氣的句子。

Everyone should fulfill their social imperatives earnestly. 每個人都應(yīng)認(rèn)真履行其社會職責(zé)。

imperative用作形容詞的基本意思是“必要的,緊急的,極重要的”,在句中多用作表語,在“It is/was imperative that-clause”結(jié)構(gòu)中從句的謂語動詞多用虛擬式,英式英語中常用“should+動詞原形”,而在美式英語中則常省略should。

祈使句