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Jigneshbharati Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Be happy vs be careful

Be careful when you cross the road.
Don't worry be happy.
These are made up sentences.
What is the grammatical form and function of "be" in "be careful and be happy "?
Is the first one imperative?
I am not sure of the second type - be happy
  

Top answer

Jigneshbharati Is the first one imperative? They are both imperatives (as is "don't worry"). The second sentence needs punctuation, however.

— GPY

  • Jigneshbharati Is the first one imperative?
  • They are both imperatives (as is "don't worry").
  • The second sentence needs punctuation, however.
  • Many people would probably be satisfied with a comma: Don't worry, be happy.
  • Strictly speaking it is a comma splice, but a benign one that would probably be widely tolerated.
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1 Answers
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JigneshbharatiIs the first one imperative?

They are both imperatives (as is "don't worry"). The second sentence needs punctuation, however. Many people would probably be satisfied with a comma:

Don't worry, be happy.

Strictly speaking it is a comma splice, but a benign one that would probably be widely tolerated.

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