1. Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn:
- How to report commands
• How to report requests
• How to report advice
• How to report suggestions
• Negative command transformation
• Advanced reporting verbs
2. Reporting Commands (Imperatives)
Direct commands usually begin with a base verb.
Direct:
She said, “Close the door.”
Indirect:
She told me to close the door.
Structure
Reporting verb + object + to + base verb
Common reporting verbs:
told
ordered
instructed
commanded
3. Reporting Requests
Requests are softer than commands.
Direct:
She said, “Please help me.”
Indirect:
She asked me to help her.
Common verbs:
asked
requested
begged
4. Reporting Negative Commands
Direct:
He said, “Do not touch it.”
Indirect:
He told me not to touch it.
Structure:
not + to + verb
5. Reporting Advice
Direct:
She said, “You should study harder.”
Indirect:
She advised me to study harder.
Other verbs:
recommended
urged
encouraged
6. Reporting Suggestions
Direct:
She said, “Let’s start early.”
Indirect:
She suggested starting early.
OR
She suggested that we start early.
Important:
After “suggest,” use:
- Gerund (V-ing)
• That-clause (base verb form)
NOT:
She suggested to start early.
7. Reporting Offers
Direct:
He said, “I will help you.”
Indirect:
He offered to help me.
Common verbs:
offered
promised
8. Reporting Invitations
Direct:
She said, “Would you like to join us?”
Indirect:
She invited me to join them.
9. Advanced Reporting Verbs
Instead of “said,” use:
explained
clarified
denied
admitted
claimed
warned
agreed
refused
Example:
He denied stealing the money.
She admitted making a mistake.
The teacher warned us to be careful.
10. Full Structural Summary
|
Function |
Structure |
|
Command |
told + object + to + verb |
|
Request |
asked + object + to + verb |
|
Negative |
told + object + not to + verb |
|
Advice |
advised + object + to + verb |
|
Suggestion |
suggested + V-ing / that + base |
|
Offer |
offered + to + verb |
11. Common Errors
⚠ Using “to” after suggest
Incorrect: She suggested to go.
Correct: She suggested going.
After “suggest”, use a gerund (verb + ing), not an infinitive.
⚠ Forgetting the object after tell
Incorrect: He told to close the door.
Correct: He told me to close the door.
Told must include an object (me, him, her, them).
⚠ Incorrect negative placement
Incorrect: She told me don’t go.
Correct: She told me not to go.
In reported commands, use:
not + to + base verb
⚠ Keeping imperative form in reported speech
Incorrect: The teacher said, “Open your books.” → The teacher said open your books.
Correct: The teacher told the students to open their books.
Imperatives change to:
told / asked + object + to + verb
⚠ Using said instead of told for commands
Incorrect: She said me to wait.
Correct: She told me to wait.
Use:
• told + object
• said (no object)
⚠ Forgetting the verb change in the advice
Incorrect: He advised me study harder.
Correct: He advised me to study harder.
After advice, use:
advise + object + to + verb
⚠ Incorrect structure with request
Incorrect: She requested me to help her.
Correct: She requested that I help her.
OR
She asked me to help her.
Request often follows:
• request that + subject + base verb (formal)
• ask + object + to + verb
12. End of Lesson Mastery
You should now be able to:
✅Report commands correctly
✅Use infinitive structures accurately
✅Handle negative reporting
✅Use advanced reporting verbs
✅Avoid common narration mistakes