What are the rules for reporting imperative sentences in reported speech?

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What are the rules for reporting imperative sentences in reported speech?

When reporting imperative sentences in reported speech, there are a few rules to keep in mind.

1. Change the reporting verb: The reporting verb should be changed to a suitable verb that indicates a command or request. Common reporting verbs for imperative sentences include "ask," "tell," "order," "command," or "request."

2. Use the reporting verb in the appropriate tense: The tense of the reporting verb should be adjusted according to the original imperative sentence. For example, if the original sentence is in the present tense, the reporting verb should also be in the present tense.

3. Remove the imperative form: Imperative sentences usually begin with the base form of the verb, without any subject. In reported speech, the imperative form should be changed to an infinitive form with "to." For example, "Do your homework" would become "He told me to do my homework."

4. Change the pronouns and possessive adjectives: Pronouns and possessive adjectives should be adjusted to reflect the change in perspective. For example, "You" in the original imperative sentence would become "He" or "She" in reported speech.

5. Use reporting words or phrases: It is common to use reporting words or phrases such as "asked," "told," "ordered," "commanded," or "requested" to introduce the reported speech. These words or phrases help to indicate that the sentence is being reported.

Here is an example to illustrate these rules:

Original imperative sentence: "Clean your room."

Reported speech: He told me to clean my room.

In this example, the reporting verb "told" is used in the past tense to indicate that the command was given in the past. The imperative form "clean" is changed to the infinitive form "to clean." The pronoun "your" is changed to "my" to reflect the change in perspective. The reporting word "told" introduces the reported speech.

By following these rules, imperative sentences can be accurately reported in reported speech.