diff --git a/src/git_commit_guard/__init__.py b/src/git_commit_guard/__init__.py
index 7c98182..372471f 100644
--- a/src/git_commit_guard/__init__.py
+++ b/src/git_commit_guard/__init__.py
@@ -231,10 +231,10 @@ def check_imperative(desc, result):
     first = tokens[0]
     if first in IMPERATIVE_VERBS:
         return
-    tagged = nltk.pos_tag(tokens)
-    if tagged[0][1] != "VB":
+    tagged = nltk.pos_tag(["i", *tokens])
+    if tagged[1][1] not in {"VB", "VBP"}:
         result.error(
-            f"expected imperative verb, got '{tagged[0][0]}' (POS={tagged[0][1]})",
+            f"expected imperative verb, got '{tagged[1][0]}' (POS={tagged[1][1]})",
         )
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_git_commit_guard.py b/tests/test_git_commit_guard.py
index ccd91a2..0755232 100644
--- a/tests/test_git_commit_guard.py
+++ b/tests/test_git_commit_guard.py
@@ -215,6 +215,11 @@ def test_non_whitelist_imperative_passes(self):
         check_imperative("refactor authentication module", r)
         assert r.ok
 
+    def test_write_imperative_passes(self):
+        r = Result()
+        check_imperative("write unit tests", r)
+        assert r.ok
+
     def test_empty_desc_passes(self):
         r = Result()
         check_imperative("", r)