What are the rules for reporting reported commands and requests in reported speech?

Reported Speech Questions Long



74 Short 67 Medium 44 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What are the rules for reporting reported commands and requests in reported speech?

The rules for reporting reported commands and requests in reported speech are as follows:

1. Change the verb tense: When reporting a command or request, the verb tense is usually changed to the past tense. For example, if the original command was "Close the door," it would be reported as "He told me to close the door."

2. Use an appropriate reporting verb: Use reporting verbs such as "tell," "ask," "order," "command," or "request" to introduce the reported command or request. For example, "She asked me to help her with the project."

3. Change pronouns and possessive adjectives: In reported speech, pronouns and possessive adjectives are often changed to reflect the perspective of the speaker. For example, "He said, 'Give me the book'" would be reported as "He told me to give him the book."

4. Use the infinitive form of the verb: In reported commands and requests, the verb is usually changed to the infinitive form. For example, "She said, 'Please bring me a glass of water'" would be reported as "She asked me to bring her a glass of water."

5. Use reporting expressions: Use reporting expressions such as "asked," "ordered," "requested," "told," or "commanded" to indicate the nature of the reported command or request. For example, "He commanded, 'Do your homework'" would be reported as "He commanded me to do my homework."

6. Use indirect speech: In reported commands and requests, the direct speech is usually changed to indirect speech. For example, "She said, 'Go to bed early'" would be reported as "She told me to go to bed early."

It is important to note that these rules may vary depending on the context and the specific reporting verb used. Additionally, it is essential to pay attention to any changes in modals, time expressions, and adverbs when reporting reported commands and requests.