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Master English Grammar

Reporting Commands

Learn how to report commands using indirect speech. Understand sentences like 'Sit down!' → He told me to sit down.

What Are Reporting Commands?

Reporting commands involves changing direct commands into indirect or reported speech. The reporting verb often changes to 'tell', 'ask', 'order', or 'advise'.

Why Is This Important?

Reporting commands correctly allows you to express orders, requests, and suggestions in indirect speech, making your communication more polite or neutral.

How to Report Commands

When reporting a command, we often use the reporting verb 'tell', followed by the object and the infinitive form of the verb (e.g., 'He told me to sit down').

Common Examples

'Sit down!' → He told me to sit down. (Command reported)
'Close the door' → She told him to close the door. (Command reported)
'Please wait here' → They asked us to wait here. (Polite request)

Key Points

  • Use 'tell' + object + infinitive for direct commands
    • 'Open the door' → She told me to open the door.
    • 'Give me the book' → He told her to give him the book.
  • Use 'ask' for polite requests
    • 'Please help me' → He asked me to help him.
    • 'Could you open the window?' → She asked me to open the window.
  • Use 'order' or 'advise' for strong commands or suggestions
    • 'You must come here!' → He ordered me to come here.
    • 'I recommend you bring your notebook' → She advised me to bring my notebook.

Rules for Reporting Commands

  • Use 'tell' + object + infinitive for commands

    • He told me to sit down.
    • She told him to close the door.

  • Use 'ask' + object + infinitive for polite requests

    • He asked me to help him.
    • They asked us to wait here.

  • Use 'order' or 'advise' + object + infinitive for stronger commands or suggestions

    • She ordered me to leave the room.
    • He advised me to study harder.

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    In some cases, we can use indirect speech to report commands with a more polite or neutral tone.

  • Commands are often reported in indirect speech with more polite language or a softer tone.

    • Direct: 'Shut the door!' → Reported: He told me to shut the door.
    • Direct: 'Close the window!' → Reported: She asked me to close the window.
ExampleTenseUse
'Sit down!' → He told me to sit down.PastCommand reported with 'tell' + object + infinitive
'Please wait here' → He asked me to wait here.PastPolite request reported with 'ask' + object + infinitive
'Open the door' → She told him to open the door.PastCommand reported with 'tell' + object + infinitive

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.