Communicative functions: Interacting with others

Asking people to do things

Giving and responding to warnings or prohibitions

When we warn someone about something or prohibit someone from doing something, we give a Command. There are different ways to warn someone or to prohibit something. There are also different ways to respond. 

When we give a warning, we usually give a reason as well:

Using an imperative clause: Watch out! It's hot. - Oh! Be careful Baby Bear. The porridge is hot. - Yes Mummy Using a declarative clause with a modal, eg should, must: You should be careful dear. The porridge is still very hot. - Yes dear.

Sometimes we disagree with a warning:

You should be careful dear. The porridge is still very hot.
- Don't worry. I like it hot.

Here are some examples of prohibitions and responses:

Using an imperative clause with a negative word: Never go into the forest alone. - OK Mummy Using a negative imperative beginning with don't: Don't ever go into the forest alone and don't go into strange houses either. - Yes Mummy Using a negative declarative with the modal must: You must never go into the forest alone and you must not go into strange houses either. - No Mummy I won't. Using a negative declarative with the verb allowed: Goldilocks, you are not allowed to go into the forest alone. - Yes Mummy. Goldilocks is not allowed to go into the forest alone. - Yes dear. I'm sure she would never do that dear.

Usually prohibitions are given by people who have the power to enforce the prohibition, eg a parent, a teacher, the manager of a company, the law. If we oppose the prohibition, we might disobey a parent, break the rules at school or work, or break the law. Usually when we oppose a prohibition, we say nothing or we give a reason why we do not agree. We usually begin the reason with the word but.

Goldilocks, you must never go into the forest alone.
- But I like going into the forest alone and I never get lost.

Teaching activities

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in giving and responding to warnings or prohibitions, see:   Let's stay friends