How do you report requests and suggestions in reported speech?

When reporting requests and suggestions in reported speech, there are a few key points to keep in mind.

Firstly, it is important to remember that the reporting verb used to introduce the reported speech will depend on the nature of the request or suggestion. Common reporting verbs for requests include 'ask', 'request', 'beg', 'plead', while for suggestions, verbs like 'suggest', 'propose', 'recommend' are commonly used.

Secondly, the tense of the reported speech will usually change according to the rules of backshifting. This means that if the original request or suggestion was made in the present tense, it will be backshifted to the past tense in reported speech. For example, "Can you help me?" would be reported as "She asked if I could help her."

Thirdly, it is important to note that the pronouns and possessive adjectives may also change in reported speech. For example, "Could you lend me your pen?" would be reported as "He asked if I could lend him my pen."

Additionally, when reporting requests and suggestions, it is common to use reporting clauses such as 'asked', 'requested', 'suggested', followed by 'if' or 'whether'. However, it is also possible to use 'to' + infinitive in reported speech. For example, "He said, 'Can you please close the door?'" can be reported as "He asked me to close the door."

Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to any modal verbs used in the original request or suggestion. These modal verbs may also need to be backshifted in reported speech. For example, "She said, 'Could you please pass me the salt?'" can be reported as "She asked if I could pass her the salt."

In summary, when reporting requests and suggestions in reported speech, one should consider the appropriate reporting verb, backshift the tense, adjust pronouns and possessive adjectives if necessary, use reporting clauses or 'to' + infinitive, and backshift any modal verbs used.