English grammar
Call a doctor! — the imperative
Ask for help in an emergency using the imperative.
From the scene Help!
In short
For commands and urgent requests, use the plain verb with no you: Call a doctor! Help me!
- command Call a doctor!
- urgent request Help me!
- hurry Quick!
- right now I'm calling a doctor.
Your turn
Which one goes with urgent request?
Options: Help me! · Call a doctor! · Quick!
Show answer
urgent request → Help me!
How it works
For a command or an urgent request, use the plain verb with no you and no ending: Call a doctor!
Good to know
Help me! (not You call a doctor!). This command form (the imperative) is the same for one person or many, friends or strangers.
Good to know
Right now = I'm + -ing: I'm calling a doctor (not I call).
command Call a doctor!
Elena
Nuria, call a doctor! Quick!
Nuria, ¡llama a un médico! ¡Rápido!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria, (blank)! Quick!
Options: call a doctor · Help me · I'm calling a doctor
Show answer
Elena
Nuria, call a doctor! Quick!
Nuria, ¡llama a un médico! ¡Rápido!
urgent request Help me!
Ramón
It hurts a lot. Help me, quick!
Me duele mucho. ¡Ayúdame, rápido!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
It hurts a lot. (blank), quick!
Options: Help me · Call a doctor · I'm calling a doctor
Show answer
Ramón
It hurts a lot. Help me, quick!
Me duele mucho. ¡Ayúdame, rápido!
hurry Quick!
Ramón
Ouch! Call a doctor, quick!
¡Ay! ¡Llama a un médico, rápido!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ouch! Call a doctor, (blank)!
Options: I'm calling a doctor · quick · Help me
Show answer
Ramón
Ouch! Call a doctor, quick!
¡Ay! ¡Llama a un médico, rápido!
right now I'm calling a doctor.
Nuria
Okay! I'm calling a doctor.
¡Vale! Llamo a un médico.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Okay! (blank).
Options: I'm calling a doctor · Call a doctor · Help me
Show answer
Nuria
Okay! I'm calling a doctor.
¡Vale! Llamo a un médico.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| command | Call a doctor! |
|---|---|
| urgent request | Help me! |
| hurry | Quick! |
| right now | I'm calling a doctor. |
More lines from the story
- RamónNo. My back hurts. Help!No. Me duele la espalda. ¡Ayuda!
- NuriaHelp! I need help!¡Ayuda! ¡Necesito ayuda!