Imperative Instructions in Technical Documentation
5 exercises — using the imperative mood correctly in CLI guides, runbooks, and setup documentation: Run, Navigate, Ensure, Note that.
0 / 19 completed
1 / 19
Which version of a CLI instruction uses the imperative mood correctly?
Option B uses the imperative mood: "Run" — bare infinitive as a direct instruction. Technical documentation (READMEs, CLI guides, runbooks, installation steps) uses the imperative because it is the most direct and concise form. Option A adds "You should" — this softens the instruction into a recommendation, which is less clear for procedures where the action is required. Option C uses passive voice — less direct and appropriate for documentation of what a system does, not what the user should do. Option D is a conditional prediction, not an instruction. Rule: start each step with a base verb: Run, Navigate, Ensure, Install, Set, Copy.
2 / 19
A runbook step reads: "Navigate to the configuration directory." Which rewrite maintains the imperative style but adds more precision?
Option B keeps the imperative ("Navigate to") and adds precision with a specific path (/etc/myapp/config/) and a non-defining relative clause explaining what is there. Option A uses "You should" (softens unnecessarily) and "where the config files are located" (verbose). Option C uses a gerund to name the step — appropriate for section headings but not for the instruction itself. Option D uses third person — wrong for instructions directed at the user. Best practice for runbooks: Navigate to [exact path]. Create [specific file]. Verify that [condition].
3 / 19
Which sentence correctly uses "Ensure that" in a technical checklist?
Option A is correct. "Ensure that" introduces a requirement clause: Ensure that [subject] [verb phrase]. It is an imperative that tells the user what condition must be true before proceeding. Option B redundantly uses both "must" before "ensure" and "must be set" inside — the imperative form of "ensure" is already strong. Option C converts to a gerund phrase and loses the directive force. Option D repeats "ensure/ensuring" redundantly. Use "Ensure that" to verify pre-conditions: "Ensure that the service is stopped before applying the patch." "Ensure that all tests pass before merging."
4 / 19
A documentation note uses "Note that". Which version is correct and professional?
Option B is the most professional form. "Note that" is an imperative followed directly by a subordinate clause (no colon needed after "Note that"). It draws attention to important information. Option A incorrectly inserts a colon after "Note that" — the colon is used after "Note:" (the abbreviated form) but not after "Note that". Option C uses "Note:" which is an acceptable abbreviated alternative, but the question specifies "Note that". Option D adds "Please" — this is appropriate for conversational context but unnecessary in technical documentation; imperative instructions are direct without "please". The two accepted forms: Note that [clause] and Note: [statement].
5 / 19
Which ordered step uses the best imperative style for CLI documentation?
Option C is correct. It uses two imperative verbs: "Copy" and "update". The coordinating structure "Copy X, then update Y" chains two instructions clearly. Option A uses "should" (softens) and "they then need to" (wrong person — not "they", the documentation addresses "you" directly, or preferably no pronoun at all). Option B uses "would" (conditional rather than directive) and the verbose "after that you put in". Option D uses gerunds — appropriate for section headings but not step instructions. CLI documentation standard: each step is a command, starting with a verb. Complex steps use comma + "then" or split into two numbered steps.
6 / 19
During a code review of Alex's pull request for the new user onboarding flow, Sarah comments: 'The script doesn't explicitly state what to do with the generated tokens. It should be phrased as a direct instruction.' Which of the following options best reflects Sarah's feedback regarding the imperative mood?
Sarah's comment highlights the importance of using the imperative mood to clearly direct action. Options A and B use passive voice, which obscures who or what is responsible for handling the tokens. Option C uses a future tense, also removing agency. Option D directly commands the script to handle the tokens – precisely what Sarah intended.
7 / 19
In a Slack message to the deployment team regarding a failed build, Ben writes: 'We need to restart the application server.' The best way to phrase this instruction, ensuring clarity and urgency, is:
Ben's original phrasing is somewhat vague. Using the imperative directly – 'Restart the application server' – provides a clear and actionable command to the team. The other options introduce unnecessary politeness or shift the focus away from the required action. The quotation marks emphasize the direct instruction.
8 / 19
You're creating a checklist for a database migration script. Which of these is the most effective way to phrase an instruction using imperative language?
'Migrate the database' is a concise and direct command, clearly stating the required action. Options A and B are passive constructions that lack urgency and clarity. Option D introduces an unnecessary actor ( 'we'). The imperative mood provides immediate direction for the operator of the script.
9 / 19
During a code review of Alex's pull request for the new user onboarding flow, Sarah comments: 'The script doesn't explicitly state what to do with the generated tokens. It should be phrased as a direct instruction.' Which of the following options best reflects Sarah's feedback regarding the imperative mood?
Sarah's comment highlights the importance of using the imperative mood to clearly direct action. Options A and B use passive voice, which obscures who or what is responsible for handling the tokens. Option C uses a future tense, also removing agency. Option D directly commands the script to handle the tokens – precisely what Sarah intended.
10 / 19
In a Slack message to the deployment team regarding a failed build, Ben writes: 'We need to restart the application server.' The best way to phrase this instruction, ensuring clarity and urgency, is:
Ben's original phrasing is somewhat vague. Using the imperative directly – 'Restart the application server' – provides a clear and actionable command to the team. The other options introduce unnecessary politeness or shift the focus away from the required action. The quotation marks emphasize the direct instruction.
11 / 19
You're creating a checklist for a database migration script. Which of these is the most effective way to phrase an instruction using imperative language?
'Migrate the database' is a concise and direct command, clearly stating the required action. Options A and B are passive constructions that lack urgency and clarity. Option D introduces an unnecessary actor ( 'we'). The imperative mood provides immediate direction for the operator of the script.
12 / 19
During a code review of Alex's pull request for the new user onboarding flow, Sarah comments: 'The script doesn't explicitly state what to do with the generated tokens. It should be phrased as a direct instruction.' Which of the following options best reflects Sarah's feedback regarding the imperative mood?
Sarah's comment highlights the importance of using the imperative mood to clearly direct action. Options A and B use passive voice, which obscures who or what is responsible for handling the tokens. Option C uses a future tense, also removing agency. Option D directly commands the script to handle the tokens – precisely what Sarah intended.
13 / 19
In a Slack message to the deployment team regarding a failed build, Ben writes: 'We need to restart the application server.' The best way to phrase this instruction, ensuring clarity and urgency, is:
Ben's original phrasing is somewhat vague. Using the imperative directly – 'Restart the application server' – provides a clear and actionable command to the team. The other options introduce unnecessary politeness or shift the focus away from the required action. The quotation marks emphasize the direct instruction.
14 / 19
You're creating a checklist for a database migration script. Which of these is the most effective way to phrase an instruction using imperative language?
'Migrate the database' is a concise and direct command, clearly stating the required action. Options A and B are passive constructions that lack urgency and clarity. Option D introduces an unnecessary actor ( 'we'). The imperative mood provides immediate direction for the operator of the script.
15 / 19
During a standup update, David says: 'The build process needs to be triggered.' Which of the following options best reflects David's instruction using imperative language?
Imperative sentences give commands or instructions. Option 3 directly states what David wants done – 'let's trigger.' Options 1 and 2 are passive constructions, while option 4 is a polite suggestion but doesn't convey the direct command needed in a standup.
The goal of standups is concise action items.
16 / 19
Maria is writing a comment on a code review for John's PR describing a new API endpoint. She writes: 'The server should return the data in JSON format.' Which revision best utilizes imperative language to guide the developer?
Imperative sentences directly command action. 'The server must return...' clearly instructs what needs to happen. Options 2 and 3 use hedging language ('ensure,' 'recommended') which weakens the instruction. Option 4 is a statement of future behavior rather than a directive.
17 / 19
You are drafting a Slack message to the DevOps team regarding a failed deployment. You write: 'We need to investigate the root cause of the failure.' Which revision best uses imperative language for clear action?
Imperative sentences are direct commands. 'We should investigate...' is the most forceful and actionable phrasing in this context. The other options use softening language or suggest rather than command. This is crucial for a critical situation where immediate action is needed.
18 / 19
A technical documentation section for a new feature states: 'Users can access the data by submitting a request.' Which of the following revisions provides the most precise and actionable instruction?
Imperative phrasing is direct and unambiguous. 'Users must submit a request' clearly defines the required action. The other options are less forceful and don't convey the necessity of the step. This clarity is vital for reducing user errors.
19 / 19
During a code review of Elena's pull request for automating database backups, she comments: 'The script needs to validate the backup destination before initiating the process.' Which option best reflects Elena's feedback using imperative language?
Imperative sentences are directives. 'The script should validate...' is a clear and concise instruction for Elena to follow. Options 2, 3, and 4 use hedging language which diminishes the command's impact and makes it less actionable.
What will I practise in "Imperative Instructions in Technical Documentation — Grammar Exercise"?
Practice writing imperative instructions for CLI docs, runbooks, and technical guides: Run, Navigate, Ensure that, Note that. 5 interactive exercises.
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 19 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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