On the semantics of imperative sentences in conversations

Abstract

The paper analyzes the meanings and uses of imperative sentences in conversations from the perspectives of semantics and pragmatics. The analysis is based on a corpus of   imperative sentences in conversations. The linguistic features of imperative sentences have been described and analyzed. The paper’s findings have both theoretical and practical meanings and could be used as a reference on the semantics and pragmatics of imperative sentences for lecturers and students.