Grammar: Reported Speech
B2 Lesson 3: Commands, Requests & Advice
Why It Matters: Direct vs. Reported Speech
When we report what someone else commanded or requested, we change the structure from a direct imperative to an infinitive phrase. This is a key skill for clear and accurate reporting.
The police officer said, "Show me your ID card."
The police officer told me to show him my ID card.
The Grammar Rule 📖
The structure for reporting commands, requests, and advice is simpler than for statements because we use an infinitive and do not need to change the tense.
The Core Structure
The key is choosing the correct reporting verb (like tell, ask, advise) to match the tone of the original speaker.
| If the direct speech is a... | Use reporting verbs like... | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Command / Order | tell, order | He told me to stop. |
| Request | ask | She asked him to help. |
| Advice | advise, encourage | The doctor advised me to rest. |
| Warning | warn, remind | They warned us not to enter. |
💡 Pro Tip: 'say' vs. 'tell'
Remember the difference: You say something. You tell someone something.
For reported commands, we almost always use tell because there is an object (the person being told).
Incorrect ❌: He said me to leave.
Correct ✅: He told me to leave.
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise 1: Report the Imperative
Convert these direct sentences into reported speech by filling in the blanks.
- Direct: The teacher said, "Please be quiet."
→ The teacher asked us to be quiet. - Direct: My mother said, "Don't forget your keys!"
→ My mother reminded me not to forget my keys. - Direct: "You should try the fish amok in Battambang."
→ He advised me to try the fish amok in Battambang. - Direct: The general said to the soldiers, "Attack!"
→ The general ordered the soldiers to attack.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
What Were You Told?
Report the following sentences using an appropriate reporting verb (tell, ask, advise, warn).
- A friend to you: "Please lend me some money."
→ My friend asked me to lend him some money. - A parent to a child: "Don't talk to strangers!"
→ The parent warned the child not to talk to strangers. - A doctor to a patient: "You should get more sleep."
→ The doctor advised the patient to get more sleep.
Key Vocabulary
- Command An order given to a person or an animal.
- Request The act of politely or formally asking for something.
- Advice An opinion someone offers about what you should do.
- Infinitive The basic form of a verb, usually with 'to' (e.g., to go, to see).
- Reporting Verb The verb that introduces the reported speech (e.g., said, told, asked).