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Imperative vs Whimperative - What's the difference?

imperative | whimperative |

As an adjective imperative

is .

As a noun whimperative is

(pragmatics) an order or imperative phrased obliquely as a question, such as "would you mind closing the window?".

imperative

English

Alternative forms

*

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • essential
    • It is imperative that you come here right now.
  • (computing theory) Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
  • (grammar) of, or relating to the imperative mood
  • Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
    • imperative orders
  • * Bishop Hall
    • The suits of kings are imperative .

    Noun

  • (uncountable, grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
    • The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative .
  • (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
  • (countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
    • Visiting Berlin is an imperative .
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * (grammatical mood) imperative mood

    Derived terms

    * first imperative (Latin grammar) * second imperative (Latin grammar) * categorical imperative

    Coordinate terms

    * (in grammar) assertoric, interrogative

    whimperative

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (pragmatics) An order or imperative phrased obliquely as a question, such as "would you mind closing the window?"
  • *{{quote-book, 1970, , Studies Presented to Robert B. Lees by His Students citation
    • , passage=Since whimperatives look like questions, the lowest hypersentence must be interrogative.}}
  • *{{quote-book, 2007, , The Stuff of Thought citation
    • , passage=We see this in the way that whimperatives use pro forma openings like Can you'' rather than other wordings with the same meaning, such as ''Are you capable of passing the salt? }}