In English, the imperative is made by taking the word "you" out of the subject of the sentence. In Sindarin, the verbs have special forms just for ordering others around.
The imperative is very easy. Take the verb root and suffix an O onto it. If the verb root ends in an A, take the A off of the root and add an O in its place.
If the root ends in an F, the F becomes a V.
Linna- sing, chant → Linno
Gosta- fear → Gosto
Laf- lick → Lavo
Tol- come → Tolo
The term imperative describes an important action that is desired. When we use it to describe grammatical structures in English, we use it for giving orders or suggestions, using spells, and praying. The imperative isn't just a command. We can use it to express something deeper and more intimate� we can express a wish.
As in English, Sindarin imperative grammar is used to order others around. You can also use it to say that you wish something would happen, and not just in prayer directed at the Ainur. The equivalent structure in English is starting a sentence with "may" or "I hope that" or "I wish that."
In an imperative sentence, the verb always comes first: before the subject or any pronouns that would otherwise be placed before the verb.
The only exception is if you're addressing your command to someone, like "Aragorn, fight that orc!"
The direct object, what the action is being done to, follows the verb. Use vocalic mutation on it.
Aragorn, maetho i orch han! - Aragorn, fight that orc!
Reinor, natho nin! - Reinor, save me!
Meno, gwarth! - Leave, traitor!
Gosto i vôr. - Fear the darkness.
When you have a "to be + adjective" structure, the adjective must follow "to be," and it is lenited.
No dhínen, honeg! - Be silent, bro!
When adding "don't" to a command, there are two ways to do it. The first is with *law, which we covered in the Helping Verbs lesson. The second is a bit more forceful. It's av(o), and it is derived from the word for "to refuse."
Avo is sometimes shortened to av-. I like to use av- before vowels and avo before consonants.
Av(o) causes vocalic mutation in the verb following it, just like *law does.
Aragorn, avo vaetho i orch han! - Aragorn, don't fight that orc!
Reinor, avo natho nin! - Reinor, don't save me!
Avo veno, gwarth! - Don't leave, traitor!
Av-'osto i vôr. - Don't fear the darkness.
For making a wish or a prayer, we only have examples of Intransitive verbs that have subjects. The subject of the sentence follows the intransitive verb without lenition.
Gladho h�n! - May children laugh!
No vain i iell g�n! - May your daughter be beautiful!
We don't know what would happen with a transitive verb, but we do know that the pronoun couldn't be a suffix on the verb any more. This is one of those blind spots that we need to wait for more data to come out.