1. Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how commands and requests are reported in indirect speech.
Unlike reported statements or questions, commands and requests are usually transformed using infinitive structures. The most common pattern is:
reporting verb + object + to-infinitive
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Close the door.”
Reported speech:
She told him to close the door.
Requests are usually reported with verbs such as ask, request, or advise, while commands often use verbs such as tell, order, or instruct.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
-
report commands using appropriate reporting verbs
-
transform requests using infinitive structures
-
correctly use patterns such as told someone to…, asked someone to…
-
avoid common learner errors when reporting commands and requests
2. Concept Introduction
Consider the following examples:
Direct command:
The instructor said, “Submit the report today.”
Reported command:
The instructor told the students to submit the report that day.
Now consider a request:
Direct request:
She said, “Please help me with the data.”
Reported request:
She asked me to help her with the data.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Close the door. | told him to close the door |
| Please help me. | asked me to help her |
Commands and requests therefore follow different reporting patterns.
3. Core Explanation
When reporting commands or requests, the structure usually changes to:
subject + reporting verb + object + to-infinitive
Example:
Direct speech:
He said, “Finish the experiment.”
Reported speech:
He told the team to finish the experiment.
For negative commands, the structure becomes:
object + not to + verb
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Do not touch the equipment.”
Reported speech:
She told them not to touch the equipment.
4. Rule Table
Reporting Commands
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + told + object + to + verb | She told the students to complete the assignment. |
Example:
Direct:
He said, “Open the window.”
Reported:
He told me to open the window.
Reporting Requests
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + asked + object + to + verb | She asked me to help her. |
Example:
Direct:
She said, “Please review the report.”
Reported:
She asked me to review the report.
Reporting Negative Commands
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + told + object + not to + verb | She told them not to leave early. |
Example:
Direct:
He said, “Do not interrupt the meeting.”
Reported:
He told them not to interrupt the meeting.
Other Reporting Verbs for Commands
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| order | The officer ordered the team to leave. |
| instruct | The supervisor instructed the workers to follow safety rules. |
| advise | The instructor advised the students to review the material. |
| request | She requested the technician to check the device. |
5. Usage
1. Reporting instructions
Example:
The instructor told the students to submit the report.
2. Reporting polite requests
Example:
She asked me to explain the results.
3. Reporting warnings
Example:
The technician warned the team not to touch the equipment.
4. Reporting advice
Example:
The instructor advised the students to revise their notes.
5. Reporting official orders
Example:
The manager ordered the staff to follow the procedure carefully.
6. Signal Words
Certain verbs commonly introduce reported commands and requests.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| told | She told the team to start the experiment. |
| asked | He asked me to review the report. |
| advised | The instructor advised the students to study carefully. |
| ordered | The officer ordered the workers to evacuate the building. |
| requested | She requested the technician to check the system. |
These verbs indicate instructions, requests, or authority.
7. Special Cases
Polite Requests with “Please”
When please appears in direct speech, it is usually removed in reported speech.
Example:
Direct speech:
She said, “Please open the window.”
Reported speech:
She asked me to open the window.
Reporting Negative Instructions
Example:
Direct speech:
He said, “Do not touch the equipment.”
Reported speech:
He told them not to touch the equipment.
The negative element not appears before the infinitive.
8. Additional Notes
When reporting commands and requests, the reporting verb should reflect the tone of the original sentence.
Example:
Direct speech:
“Please send the report today,” she said.
Reported speech:
She requested the team to send the report that day.
Using the correct reporting verb helps preserve the intended meaning.
9. Common Errors
⚠ Using “that” instead of infinitive structure
Incorrect:
She told me that close the door.
Correct:
She told me to close the door.
Explanation:
Commands require to-infinitive structures.
⚠ Missing object
Incorrect:
She told to finish the report.
Correct:
She told us to finish the report.
Explanation:
Tell requires an object.
⚠ Incorrect negative command structure
Incorrect:
She told them to not touch the equipment.
Correct:
She told them not to touch the equipment.
Explanation:
The correct structure is not to + verb.
⚠ Confusing ask and tell
Incorrect:
She asked me close the door.
Correct:
She asked me to close the door.
Explanation:
Ask requires a to-infinitive.
⚠ Keeping imperative form
Incorrect:
She told me close the door.
Correct:
She told me to close the door.
Explanation:
Imperatives become to-infinitive structures.
10. Lesson Mastery
After completing this lesson, you should now be able to:
✅ report commands using appropriate reporting verbs
✅ transform requests using infinitive structures
✅ use structures such as told someone to…, asked someone to…
✅ avoid common errors when reporting commands and requests