5 exercises — practise commands and instructions in CLI docs, README files, setup guides, and deployment documentation: "Run the server", "Set the environment variable", "Ensure the dependency is installed".
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A developer is writing a CLI quick-start guide. Which sentence uses the imperative mood correctly to instruct the user?
"Run the server with npm start." is the canonical imperative form. In CLI documentation, README quick-starts, and setup guides, the bare imperative (base verb, no subject) is the standard: "Run", "Install", "Set", "Ensure", "Navigate", "Open". It is direct, unambiguous, and space-efficient. Option A ("You should run…") uses a modal — appropriate for softer suggestions but not for procedural steps. Option C uses passive voice, which obscures the agent (who runs the server?). Option D is a gerund phrase — not a complete instruction. The imperative is the default choice for any numbered or bulleted setup step in technical documentation.
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A README setup section reads: "_____ the DATABASE_URL environment variable to point to your PostgreSQL instance before starting the application." Which imperative verb best completes this instruction?
Set is the correct imperative. For environment variable instructions in README files and configuration guides, the imperative is the standard form: "Set DATABASE_URL=postgres://…", "Export the API key", "Assign the secret to the environment". The verb set is particularly common in shell and config contexts: "Set the NODE_ENV variable to production", "Set the timeout to 30 seconds in config.yml". Option A (Setting) is a gerund — incomplete as a main clause instruction. Option B (You set) is a declarative statement, not an imperative. Option D (Sets) is third-person present — it describes, not instructs.
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A developer writes a troubleshooting step: "Before opening a bug report, _____ that the dependency is installed and the correct version is listed in package.json." Which option is correct?
Ensure is the correct imperative. Ensure is one of the most common verbs in technical documentation for pre-requisite checks: "Ensure the dependency is installed", "Ensure the port is not already in use", "Ensure you are running Node.js 18 or higher". The imperative clause here follows a temporal adverbial ("Before opening a bug report"), which is a standard pattern in troubleshooting guides and contributing guidelines: "Before submitting a PR, ensure all tests pass." Compare synonyms also used in this register: verify, confirm, check. Option A (gerund) is incomplete. Option C (declarative) is informal. Option D (past participle) does not function as an imperative.
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A developer writes a multi-step install section. Which is the most natural and grammatically correct sequence of imperatives for a README?
"Clone the repository, install the dependencies, and start the server." is the canonical form for a numbered or inline sequence of imperative instructions. All three verbs are bare imperatives in parallel structure, joined by commas and a final and — this is the standard for README setup sections and quickstart guides. Examples: "Fork the repo, create a branch, make your changes, and open a pull request." Option A mixes second-person declaratives and a modal — inconsistent and informal. Option C uses gerunds — a list of phrases, not complete instructions. Option D converts all three to passive modal constructions — grammatically valid but too heavy and impersonal for a practical guide.
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A technical writer reviews this warning in a deployment guide: "You must not push directly to the main branch." Which rewrite uses the negative imperative most concisely and directly?
"Do not push directly to the main branch." is the standard negative imperative: Do not + base verb. This is the direct and unambiguous form for prohibitions in technical documentation, contributing guidelines, and deployment guides. Examples: "Do not commit directly to main", "Do not expose your API key in client-side code", "Do not run this command as root". The contraction Don't is also acceptable in less formal docs. Option A ("Avoid pushing") is a softer, gerund-based instruction — acceptable but less direct for a prohibition. Option C is passive and descriptive, not instructional. Option D is grammatically incorrect ("Never push … is the rule" creates a sentence fragment structure).
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Ben is drafting a PR description for a new feature. He wants to clearly state what users should do after deploying the updated service. Which of the following sentences best uses imperative language?
'After deployment, ensure that you _____ the application settings.'
The core purpose of an imperative sentence is to give a direct command. 'Configure' is the most concise and effective verb in this context, conveying that users should take the necessary steps to set up the application after deployment. Options B and C are unnecessarily complex and don't effectively communicate the required action; option D adds extra unnecessary words.
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David needs to write a command for an automated deployment script. He wants to tell the system to stop running any existing instances of the application. Which of these commands best uses imperative language?
'Stop all instances.'
The most direct and unambiguous way to instruct the system is with a clear imperative. 'Stopping all instances' directly conveys the desired action. Options B and C add unnecessary phrases for emphasis; option D introduces an urgency that isn't crucial in a script command.
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Ben is drafting a PR description for a new feature. He wants to clearly state what users should do after deploying the updated service. Which of the following sentences best uses imperative language?
'After deployment, ensure that you _____ the application settings.'
The core purpose of an imperative sentence is to give a direct command. 'Configure' is the most concise and effective verb in this context, conveying that users should take the necessary steps to set up the application after deployment. Options B and C are unnecessarily complex and don't effectively communicate the required action; option D adds extra unnecessary words.
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David needs to write a command for an automated deployment script. He wants to tell the system to stop running any existing instances of the application. Which of these commands best uses imperative language?
'Stop all instances.'
The most direct and unambiguous way to instruct the system is with a clear imperative. 'Stopping all instances' directly conveys the desired action. Options B and C add unnecessary phrases for emphasis; option D introduces an urgency that isn't crucial in a script command.
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Sarah is writing instructions for a new onboarding process. Which sentence best demonstrates the use of imperative language to guide a user? "To access your account, click the 'Login' button and enter your credentials."
The sentence directly tells the user *what* to do – 'click' and 'enter'. This is the core of imperative language: giving commands. Options A and B focus on understanding or direction, while options C and D are questions or suggestions.
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A developer needs to write a concise command for a script that automatically deploys code. Which of the following best utilizes imperative language? 'Execute the deployment script.'
The phrase 'Execute' is a direct command, instructing the system to perform an action. Options A, B, and D describe monitoring or scheduling, not issuing an imperative instruction.
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During a standup meeting, Mark wants to remind the team to update their task statuses. Which of these sentences uses imperative language effectively? 'Please update your task statuses in Jira.'
The word 'Please' combined with 'update' creates a direct instruction. Options A and B are suggestions or recommendations, while options C and D express encouragement but don't provide an imperative command.
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A technical writer is revising a section of a documentation page. The original text reads: 'Users should be aware that the system requires regular maintenance.' Which revision best employs imperative language? 'Schedule regular maintenance for the system.'
'Schedule' directly commands the user to take action. The original sentence is a passive statement of requirement, while options B, C, and D are suggestions or advice. This highlights the difference between stating a need and issuing an instruction.
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Emily is writing a Slack message to her team about fixing a bug. Which of the following messages best uses imperative language? 'Immediately address this issue in your code.'
The use of 'need' and 'immediately' adds urgency to the command. Options A and D offer suggestions or emphasize importance, while option C is a polite request – it doesn't convey the same level of direct instruction.
What will I practise in "Imperative and Instructional Language in IT"?
Practise imperative commands in CLI documentation, READMEs, and setup guides. 5 intermediate exercises on instructional language in technical writing.
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 14 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.