Reporting Commands & Requests

1. The Infinitive Structure#

When we report a command or a request, the main verb changes into a positive or negative infinitive.

• Positive Commands/Requests: Change the verb to to + base verb.
  • Direct: “Sit down,” the teacher said.
  • Reported: The teacher told us to sit down.
• Negative Commands/Requests: Change the verb to not to + base verb.
  • Direct: “Don’t touch the glass,” he said.
  • Reported: He warned us not to touch the glass.

2. Choosing the Right Reporting Verb#

We choose a reporting verb that reflects the speaker’s tone. All of these verbs follow the same pattern:

Pattern: Subject + Reporting Verb + Object (Listener) + to/not to + base verb

Here are the most common reporting verbs classified by usage:

A. Commands and Orders (telling someone what to do authoritatively)

• Verbs: tell, order, command
  • Direct: “Go to your room!” she said to him.
  • Reported: She ordered him to go to his room.

B. Requests (asking someone to do something politely)

• Verbs: ask, beg, implore
  • Direct: “Please help me carry this,” she said to Jack.
  • Reported: She asked Jack to help her carry that.
    Note: The word “please” is omitted in reported speech.

C. Warnings (cautioning someone about danger or consequences)

• Verbs: warn
  • Direct: “Don’t swim here, the current is strong,” the lifeguard said.
  • Reported: The lifeguard warned them not to swim there.

D. Advice (recommending a course of action)

• Verbs: advise, urge
  • Direct: “You should eat more vegetables,” the doctor said to me.
  • Reported: The doctor advised me to eat more vegetables.

3. Commands & Requests Summary#