1. Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how commands and requests are reported in indirect speech.
Unlike statements and questions, commands and requests are usually reported using infinitive structures rather than that-clauses.
Example:
Direct speech:
The manager said, “Finish the report.”
Reported speech:
The manager told the team to finish the report.
Requests often use ask + object + to-infinitive.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Please send the data.”
Reported speech:
She asked him to send the data.
Understanding these structures helps learners report instructions, advice, warnings, and polite requests accurately.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
-
transform commands into reported speech
-
report requests using infinitive structures
-
apply structures such as told someone to… and asked someone to…
-
identify and correct errors in reported commands and requests
2. Concept Introduction
Consider the following example.
Direct speech:
The supervisor said, “Submit the report today.”
Reported speech:
The supervisor told the staff to submit the report that day.
Notice the changes:
| Feature | Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|---|
| quotation marks | present | removed |
| imperative verb | submit | to submit |
| reporting verb | said | told |
Commands therefore often follow the structure:
told + object + to + verb
3. Core Explanation
Commands and requests are typically reported using infinitive constructions.
There are two main structures:
-
tell + object + to-infinitive
-
ask + object + to-infinitive
Reporting Commands
Commands usually use tell.
Example:
Direct speech:
The instructor said, “Turn off the equipment.”
Reported speech:
The instructor told the students to turn off the equipment.
Structure:
told + object + to + base verb
Reporting Requests
Requests often use ask.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Please help me.”
Reported speech:
She asked him to help her.
Structure:
asked + object + to + base verb
Reporting Negative Commands
Negative commands use not to + verb.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Do not touch the machine.”
Reported speech:
She told them not to touch the machine.
4. Rule Table
Reporting Commands
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Open the door.” | He told me to open the door. |
| “Finish the task.” | She told the team to finish the task. |
Structure:
told + object + to + verb
Reporting Requests
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Please help me.” | She asked him to help her. |
| “Please send the report.” | She asked the assistant to send the report. |
Structure:
asked + object + to + verb
Negative Commands
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| “Do not enter the room.” | He told them not to enter the room. |
| “Don’t touch the equipment.” | She told the students not to touch the equipment. |
Structure:
told + object + not to + verb
5. Usage
1. Reporting instructions
Example:
The technician told the staff to check the system.
2. Reporting requests
Example:
She asked the assistant to send the report.
3. Reporting warnings
Example:
The supervisor told the workers not to ignore safety rules.
4. Reporting advice
Example:
The teacher told the students to review the material carefully.
5. Reporting polite requests
Example:
She asked the technician to repair the system.
6. Signal Words
Commands and requests are often introduced by specific reporting verbs.
| Reporting Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| tell | She told the team to complete the task. |
| ask | He asked the assistant to prepare the report. |
| order | The manager ordered the staff to leave the room. |
| advise | The instructor advised the students to practise regularly. |
| warn | The supervisor warned the workers not to touch the equipment. |
These verbs clarify the type of instruction or request.
7. Special Cases
Reporting Polite Requests
Requests containing please usually transform using ask.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Please close the door.”
Reported speech:
She asked him to close the door.
Reporting Urgent Commands
More formal reporting verbs may be used.
Example:
The manager ordered the employees to leave the building.
These verbs convey stronger authority or urgency.
8. Additional Notes
When converting commands to reported speech:
-
The imperative verb changes to to + base verb.
-
The reporting verb becomes tell or ask.
-
The listener becomes the object of the reporting verb.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Clean the laboratory.”
Reported speech:
She told the assistant to clean the laboratory.
9. Common Errors
⚠ Using “say” instead of “tell”
Incorrect:
She said me to finish the report.
Correct:
She told me to finish the report.
Explanation:
Tell requires an object; say does not.
⚠ Missing object
Incorrect:
She told to close the door.
Correct:
She told him to close the door.
Explanation:
Tell requires an object.
⚠ Incorrect infinitive structure
Incorrect:
She asked him finish the report.
Correct:
She asked him to finish the report.
Explanation:
Commands and requests use to-infinitive.
⚠ Incorrect negative command
Incorrect:
She told them to not enter the room.
Correct:
She told them not to enter the room.
Explanation:
Negative commands use not to + verb.
⚠ Keeping imperative form
Incorrect:
She told him finish the task.
Correct:
She told him to finish the task.
Explanation:
Reported commands require to-infinitive structures.
10. Lesson Mastery
After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:
✅ transform commands into reported speech
✅ report requests using infinitive structures
✅ apply structures such as told someone to… and asked someone to…
✅ identify and correct errors in reported commands and requests