Reporting Commands
Direct Commands
Commands use the imperative (base form of verb):
- “Close the door.”
- “Sit down.”
- “Be quiet.”
Structure for Reporting Commands
told/asked + person + (not) + to + infinitive
Reporting with “Tell”
Use “tell” for orders and instructions:
Direct: “Close the door.” Reported: She told me to close the door.
Direct: “Be careful.” Reported: He told us to be careful.
Direct: “Wait here.” Reported: They told her to wait there.
Reporting with “Ask”
Use “ask” for polite requests:
Direct: “Please help me.” Reported: She asked me to help her.
Direct: “Could you open the window?” Reported: He asked her to open the window.
Direct: “Would you mind waiting?” Reported: She asked them to wait.
Negative Commands
told/asked + person + not to + infinitive
Direct: “Don’t touch that.” Reported: She told me not to touch that.
Direct: “Don’t be late.” Reported: He told us not to be late.
Direct: “Please don’t tell anyone.” Reported: She asked me not to tell anyone.
Other Reporting Verbs for Commands
Order (strong command)
- The officer ordered the soldiers to march.
- The teacher ordered the students to be quiet.
Warn (with danger/risk)
- She warned me not to swim there.
- He warned them to be careful.
Advise (giving advice)
- The doctor advised me to rest.
- She advised him not to work so hard.
Encourage (positive push)
- They encouraged me to apply for the job.
- She encouraged him to keep trying.
Remind (memory)
- She reminded me to call my mother.
- He reminded us to bring our passports.
Beg (desperate request)
- She begged him not to leave.
- He begged them to help him.
Comparison Table
| Direct | Reported |
|---|---|
| ”Wait here.” | told me to wait there |
| ”Please sit down.” | asked me to sit down |
| ”Don’t smoke.” | told me not to smoke |
| ”You must be careful.” | warned me to be careful |
| ”You should rest.” | advised me to rest |
Practice Examples
Direct: “Don’t forget to lock the door,” she said to me.
Reported: She reminded me to lock the door.
Direct: “Please, please help me!” he said.
Reported: He begged me to help him.
Reported commands use tell + object + (not) to + infinitive: “He told me to sit down.” Compare with ask + object + to for polite requests. The difference reflects the authority or politeness of the original speaker.