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Reporting Suggestions or Advice

Introduction

In this pattern, we learn how to report sentences that express suggestions or advice given by someone. Such sentences often include words like should, ought to, let’s, or why don’t we. When converting them into indirect speech, we replace these expressions with reporting verbs like advised, suggested, or recommended.

Pattern: Reporting Suggestions or Advice

Pattern

The key idea: Use reporting verbs such as advised, suggested, or recommended and change the verb into an infinitive (to + verb) or a clause using “that”.

Common structures:

  • advised + object + to + verb → He advised me to study harder.
  • suggested + that + subject + verb → She suggested that we take a break.
  • recommended + that + subject + verb → The doctor recommended that he rest.

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Convert into Indirect Speech:
He said, “You should see a doctor.”

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the type of sentence.

    The word should indicates advice.

  2. Step 2: Replace the reporting verb.

    Use advised in place of “said”.

  3. Step 3: Change the structure.

    Replace “should + verb” with “to + verb” → to see a doctor.

  4. Step 4: Form the sentence.

    Combine both parts to get the indirect form.

  5. Final Answer:

    He advised me to see a doctor.

  6. Quick Check:

    ‘should’ → ‘advised + to + verb’ ✅

Quick Variations

1. When “should” or “ought to” appears, convert to “advised + to + verb.”

2. When “let’s” or “why don’t we” appears, convert to “suggested that + clause.”

3. Some formal suggestions may use “recommended that + subject + verb.”

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify if the sentence is giving advice or suggestion.
  • Step 2: Replace “said” with “advised,” “suggested,” or “recommended.”
  • Step 3: Change “should/let’s” to infinitive or “that” clause as needed.

Summary

Summary

In the Reporting Suggestions or Advice pattern:

  • Advice → advised + object + to + verb.
  • Suggestion → suggested that + subject + verb.
  • Ensure tense consistency and proper pronoun adjustment.
  • Remove quotation marks and do not use “to” after “suggested that.”

Practice

(1/5)
1. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>He said, “You should take some rest.”
easy
A. He advised me to take some rest.
B. He told me that I should take some rest.
C. He asked me to take some rest.
D. He ordered me to take some rest.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the sentence type.

    The use of 'should' shows it’s advice.

  2. Step 2: Apply reporting change.

    Replace ‘said’ with ‘advised’ to show suggestion.

  3. Step 3: Modify structure.

    Change ‘should take’ → ‘to take’ (infinitive form).

  4. Step 4: Form the reported sentence.

    He advised me to take some rest.

  5. Final Answer:

    He advised me to take some rest. → Option A

  6. Quick Check:

    ‘should’ → ‘advised + to + verb’ ✅
Hint: Use ‘advised + to + verb’ for sentences showing advice with ‘should’.
Common Mistakes: Keeping ‘should’ unchanged in the indirect form.
2. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>The teacher said, “You should complete your homework daily.”
easy
A. The teacher advised us to complete our homework daily.
B. The teacher told us to complete our homework daily.
C. The teacher suggested that we complete our homework daily.
D. The teacher asked us to complete our homework daily.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify sentence function.

    The sentence expresses advice with ‘should’.

  2. Step 2: Replace the reporting verb.

    ‘said’ → ‘advised’ (most accurate for advice).

  3. Step 3: Apply infinitive structure.

    ‘should complete’ → ‘to complete’.

  4. Step 4: Adjust pronoun.

    ‘you’ → ‘us’ (teacher speaking to students).

  5. Final Answer:

    The teacher advised us to complete our homework daily. → Option A

  6. Quick Check:

    ‘should’ → ‘advised + to + verb’ ✅
Hint: ‘Should’ usually becomes ‘advised + to + verb’.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘told’ instead of ‘advised’ in advice statements.
3. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>She said, “Let’s go out for dinner.”
medium
A. She told that we go out for dinner.
B. She asked us to go out for dinner.
C. She suggested that we go out for dinner.
D. She advised that we go out for dinner.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the expression.

    ‘Let’s’ indicates a suggestion.

  2. Step 2: Replace the reporting verb.

    ‘said’ → ‘suggested’ to match context.

  3. Step 3: Use ‘that + clause’ structure.

    ‘suggested that we go out for dinner.’

  4. Final Answer:

    She suggested that we go out for dinner. → Option C

  5. Quick Check:

    ‘Let’s’ → ‘suggested that + clause’ ✅
Hint: ‘Let’s’ → ‘suggested that + clause’.
Common Mistakes: Using infinitive form after ‘suggested’.
4. Choose the correct Indirect Speech:<br><br>The doctor said, “You should exercise daily.”
medium
A. The doctor advised me to exercise daily.
B. The doctor suggested that I should exercise daily.
C. The doctor told me to exercise daily.
D. The doctor ordered me to exercise daily.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify type.

    The statement gives medical advice.

  2. Step 2: Apply reporting change.

    Use ‘advised’ for medical or moral guidance.

  3. Step 3: Change modal.

    ‘should exercise’ → ‘to exercise’.

  4. Final Answer:

    The doctor advised me to exercise daily. → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    ‘should’ → ‘advised + to + verb’ ✅
Hint: Medical or moral guidance → ‘advised + to + verb’.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘suggested’ instead of ‘advised’.
5. Convert into Indirect Speech:<br><br>Ravi said, “You should not waste your time.”
medium
A. Ravi told me not to waste my time.
B. Ravi suggested that I not waste my time.
C. Ravi advised me not to waste my time.
D. Ravi said that I should not waste my time.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify tone.

    The sentence gives serious advice or warning.

  2. Step 2: Replace reporting verb.

    ‘said’ → ‘advised’ for formal or moral guidance.

  3. Step 3: Apply structure for prohibition.

    Use ‘not to + verb’ in place of ‘should not + verb’.

  4. Step 4: Adjust pronoun.

    ‘you’ → ‘me’; ‘your’ → ‘my’.

  5. Final Answer:

    Ravi advised me not to waste my time. → Option C

  6. Quick Check:

    Negative advice → ‘advised + not to + verb’ ✅
Hint: For prohibitive advice → ‘advised + not to + verb’.
Common Mistakes: Keeping ‘should not’ unchanged in advice sentences.

Mock Test

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