Reported commands and requests are ways of telling someone what another person told them to do, using indirect speech rather than quoting their exact words. For example, “She told me to close the door” is a reported command, while “He asked me to help him” is a reported request.
What Are Reported Commands and Requests?
In English grammar, when we report what someone said, we can use direct speech (quoting their exact words) or indirect speech (paraphrasing). Reported commands and requests fall under indirect speech but have their own rules. A command is an order or instruction, such as “Stop talking” or “Turn off the lights.” A request is a polite ask, such as “Please pass the salt” or “Could you open the window?” Both can be reported using a reporting verb like tell, ask, order, command, beg, or advise, followed by an object (the person being addressed) and a to-infinitive clause.
How to Form Reported Commands
The basic structure for reporting a command is: reporting verb + object + to-infinitive. For example:
- Direct: “Sit down,” the teacher said. → Reported: The teacher told the student to sit down.
- Direct: “Don’t touch that!” she said. → Reported: She told me not to touch that.
Notice that negative commands use not to before the infinitive. The tense of the reporting verb can be past or present, but the infinitive does not change. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the command itself is still reported with the infinitive, not a past form.
How to Form Reported Requests
Requests follow the same pattern but typically use ask as the reporting verb. For example:
- Direct: “Please wait here,” he said. → Reported: He asked me to wait here.
- Direct: “Could you lend me your pen?” she asked. → Reported: She asked me to lend her my pen.
When a request is negative, use not to: “Please don’t be late” → She asked me not to be late. In more formal contexts, you might use request instead of ask, but the structure remains the same.
Choosing the Right Reporting Verb
The choice of reporting verb depends on the tone and force of the original statement. Tell is neutral and common for commands. Order and command imply authority and are stronger. Ask is used for requests, while beg or plead suggest desperation. Advise and warn are also used when the original statement is a suggestion or caution. For example:
- “Don’t go alone,” he warned. → He warned me not to go alone.
- “You should see a doctor,” she advised. → She advised me to see a doctor.
Using the right verb helps convey the speaker’s intention accurately.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A frequent mistake is using say instead of tell or ask. You cannot say “He said me to go” because say does not take an object in this structure. Instead, use tell or ask with an object. Another issue is confusing reported commands with reported statements. A statement uses that-clauses (e.g., “He said that he was tired”), while commands and requests use infinitives. Also, when the original command is in the present tense, the infinitive does not shift back in time; it remains unchanged. For example, “She says, ‘Close the door'” becomes “She says to close the door” or “She tells me to close the door.”
Reported Commands vs. Reported Requests in Practice
In everyday conversation, people often use reported commands and requests without thinking about the rules. For instance, a parent might say, “I told you to clean your room,” or a colleague might say, “She asked me to send the file.” In writing, these structures appear in narratives, news reports, and formal correspondence. For example, a news article might report, “The manager ordered the staff to evacuate the building.” Understanding the difference helps in both comprehension and production, especially in English exams like IELTS or TOEFL, where indirect speech is commonly tested.
Alternatives to Reported Commands and Requests
Sometimes speakers avoid indirect speech altogether by using direct quotes or by paraphrasing with other structures. For example, instead of “He told me to stop,” one might say “He said, ‘Stop'” or “He wanted me to stop.” The latter uses want + object + infinitive, which is similar but not exactly a reported command. Another alternative is using suggest + gerund or that-clause: “He suggested leaving early” or “He suggested that we leave early.” These options are useful when the original statement is more of a suggestion than a direct order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a reported command and a reported request?
The difference lies in the intent and the reporting verb. A command is an order, often reported with tell, order, or command. A request is a polite ask, usually reported with ask or request. The structure is the same, but the verb reflects the tone.
Can I use “say” to report a command?
No, say cannot be used with an object in this context. You cannot say “He said me to go.” Instead, use tell or ask with an object. However, you can use say followed by a to-infinitive without an object, as in “He said to go,” but that is less common and less precise.
How do I report a negative command?
Use not to before the infinitive. For example, “Don’t run” becomes “He told me not to run.” This applies to both commands and requests.
Do the tenses change in reported commands?
No, the infinitive does not change based on the tense of the reporting verb. Whether the reporting verb is present or past, the infinitive remains the same. For example, “She tells me to wait” and “She told me to wait” both use “to wait.”
What if the original command is a question?
If the original is a question that is a request, like “Could you help me?”, it is reported as a request: “She asked me to help her.” If the question is an order, such as “Why don’t you clean up?”, it might be reported as a command: “He told me to clean up.” The context determines the reporting verb.
Can reported commands be used in formal writing?
Yes, they are common in formal writing, such as reports, minutes of meetings, and academic texts. For example, “The committee ordered the investigation to proceed.” Using precise reporting verbs enhances clarity and professionalism.
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