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Consequently, Austin showed that English contains a set of verbs, each of which
names the illocutionary force of that verb, and called such verbs performative verbs
(VP).
In order for a performative verb to have its performative sense (to perform the
illocutionary act it names), it must
1. be positive,
2. be present tense,
3. have a first-person agent,
4. refer to a specific event.
Eg.:
1. I admit my mistake.
2. We cordially invite you to take part in the conference.
3. We acknowledge receipt of your letter.
Not all verbs are VPs. For example, know is not a PV because the PVs meet the
following criteria:
1. a PV describes a voluntary act (one can’t choose to know or not know smth),
2. a PV describes an act that can only be performed with words (one can know smth
without saying s/he knows it),
3. a PV can be used with the performative indicator hereby
An utterance that contains a PV (used in its performative sense) is called an
explicit performative; an utterance that does not contain a PV (used in its performative
sense) is called a nonexplicit/ implicit performative.
1. Clean up this mess!
2. I hereby order you that you clean up this mess.
3. The work was done by Elaine and myself.
4. I hereby tell you that the work was done by Elaine and myself.

Examples like [2, 4] (normally without 'hereby'), are used by speakers as explicit
performatives. Examples like [1, 3] are implicit performatives, sometimes called
primary performatives.
Speech act verbs can differ from one another as to the "degree" of their
performativity. For example, we can say I order you but I threaten you and I boast are
unacceptable. However, I have to boast that X is a normal form. Speech act verbs differ
from one another in the range of modals which they can occur with: I would suggest/
recommend /advise but I must confess /admit/ though I must/would ask.
Utterances can be polyfunctional. Utterances with one illicutionary force can be
called simple performatives, and utterances with two and more illicutionary forces can be
called complex performatives (Почепцов О.1986: 25)
Complex performatives can be explicit and implicit. Explicit complex performatives
describe n+1 illocutionary act. Examples of explicit complex performatives are as follows:
Eg.: Let me ask you how old are you?
Let me tell you that you are wrong.
Implicit complex performatives don't describe the illocutionary act n+1. Utterances
like Can you feel a draft? used as a directive can be an example of this type.