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Reporting Commands, Orders, and Requests

Introduction

When converting commands, orders, or requests from Direct to Indirect Speech, the reporting verb and sentence structure change completely. We no longer use quotation marks, and the verb in the reported clause becomes an infinitive (to + verb).

This pattern is important because it helps express instructions or polite requests indirectly - which is common in both spoken and written communication.

Pattern: Reporting Commands, Orders, and Requests

Pattern

Use reporting verbs like “told,” “ordered,” “requested,” or “advised,” followed by an infinitive (to + verb).

Structure:
Direct: He said, “Open the door.”
Indirect: He told me to open the door.

Direct: She said, “Please help me.”
Indirect: She requested me to help her.

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Convert into Indirect Speech:
He said to me, “Sit down.”

Options:

  • A) He told me sit down.
  • B) He told me to sit down.
  • C) He said me to sit down.
  • D) He ordered me that I sit down.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the sentence type.

    It’s a command because it instructs someone to perform an action (“Sit down”).

  2. Step 2: Replace “said to” appropriately.

    “said to” → “told” or “ordered” (depending on tone). Here, “told” fits well.

  3. Step 3: Remove quotation marks and use infinitive form.

    Add “to” before the verb: “to sit down.”

  4. Step 4: Combine sentence.

    He told me to sit down.

  5. Final Answer:

    He told me to sit down. → Option B

  6. Quick Check:

    Command → “told” + “to” + base verb ✅

Quick Variations

1. Requests use “requested” or “asked” → e.g., “He requested me to wait.”

2. Commands use “ordered” or “told” → e.g., “The officer ordered them to move.”

3. Negative commands use “not to” → e.g., “He told me not to touch it.”

4. “Let” expressions change to “told/suggested” or “requested” depending on context.

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify tone (command, order, or request).
  • Step 2: Change “said to” → “told,” “ordered,” or “requested.”
  • Step 3: Use to + base verb for positive instructions.
  • Step 4: Use not to + verb for negatives.

Summary

Summary

  • Commands and requests are reported with to-infinitive form.
  • “said to” → “told,” “ordered,” or “requested.”
  • For negatives, add not to before the verb.
  • Do not use quotation marks or a question mark in indirect form.

Example Recap:
Direct: She said, “Please open the window.”
Indirect: She requested me to open the window.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>He said to me, “Turn off the lights.”
easy
A. He told me to turn off the lights.
B. He said that I should turn off the lights.
C. He asked me to turn off the lights.
D. He said me to turn off the lights.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the sentence type.

    This is a command because it gives an instruction to perform an action.

  2. Step 2: Replace the reporting phrase.

    Change 'said to' → 'told' to indicate a direct instruction.

  3. Step 3: Apply the infinitive rule.

    Use 'to + verb' → 'to turn off'.

  4. Step 4: Combine the sentence.

    He told me to turn off the lights.

  5. Final Answer:

    He told me to turn off the lights. → Option A

  6. Quick Check:

    'said to' → 'told' + 'to + verb' ✅
Hint: Commands → 'told' + 'to + verb'.
Common Mistakes: Leaving 'said to' unchanged.
2. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>She said to him, “Please close the window.”
easy
A. She told him to close the window.
B. She requested him to close the window.
C. She asked him that he close the window.
D. She said him to close the window.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify tone.

    The word 'please' indicates a polite request.

  2. Step 2: Change the reporting verb.

    'said to' → 'requested' to reflect the polite nature.

  3. Step 3: Use infinitive structure.

    Add 'to + verb' → 'to close the window'.

  4. Step 4: Combine the sentence.

    She requested him to close the window.

  5. Final Answer:

    She requested him to close the window. → Option B

  6. Quick Check:

    'Please' → 'requested' ✅
Hint: ‘Please’ → ‘requested’.
Common Mistakes: Using 'told' instead of 'requested'.
3. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>The officer said to the soldiers, “March forward.”
medium
A. The officer told the soldiers to march forward.
B. The officer said the soldiers to march forward.
C. The officer ordered the soldiers to march forward.
D. The officer requested the soldiers to march forward.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the tone.

    The sentence expresses a strict command from a superior officer.

  2. Step 2: Replace 'said to' with an appropriate reporting verb.

    Use 'ordered' for strong commands.

  3. Step 3: Add infinitive phrase.

    Attach 'to + verb' → 'to march forward'.

  4. Step 4: Combine the parts.

    The officer ordered the soldiers to march forward.

  5. Final Answer:

    The officer ordered the soldiers to march forward. → Option C

  6. Quick Check:

    'said to' → 'ordered' + 'to + verb' ✅
Hint: Orders → 'ordered' + 'to + verb'.
Common Mistakes: Using 'told' instead of 'ordered'.
4. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>He said to me, “Don’t make noise.”
medium
A. He told me not to make noise.
B. He said that I not make noise.
C. He told me to not make noise.
D. He ordered me do not make noise.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify sentence type.

    This is a negative command (prohibition).

  2. Step 2: Replace reporting verb.

    Change 'said to' → 'told' (mild instruction).

  3. Step 3: Add negative infinitive.

    Use 'not to + verb' → 'not to make'.

  4. Step 4: Combine sentence.

    He told me not to make noise.

  5. Final Answer:

    He told me not to make noise. → Option A

  6. Quick Check:

    Negative command → 'not to + verb' ✅
Hint: Use 'not to' for negative orders.
Common Mistakes: Using 'do not' instead of 'not to'.
5. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>Father said to his son, “Work hard and be honest.”
medium
A. Father told his son that he should work hard and be honest.
B. Father advised his son to work hard and be honest.
C. Father said his son to work hard and be honest.
D. Father requested his son to work hard and be honest.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the intent.

    This is advice given for the son's benefit, not a strict command.

  2. Step 2: Choose appropriate reporting verb.

    Replace 'said to' → 'advised'.

  3. Step 3: Use infinitive structure.

    Add 'to + verb' → 'to work hard and be honest'.

  4. Step 4: Combine the sentence.

    Father advised his son to work hard and be honest.

  5. Final Answer:

    Father advised his son to work hard and be honest. → Option B

  6. Quick Check:

    'said to' → 'advised'; 'to + verb' ✅
Hint: Advice → use 'advised' + 'to + verb'.
Common Mistakes: Using 'told' or 'requested' instead of 'advised'.

Mock Test

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