Grammar › Reported Speech › Reported Commands & Requests
Reported Commands & Requests
Report commands and requests with reporting verb + object + to-infinitive:
- Commands use 'tell' — 'Sit down.' → He told me to sit down.
- Requests use 'ask' — 'Please help.' → She asked me to help.
- Negatives put 'not' before 'to' — 'Don't go.' → He told me not to go.
No tenses to backshift here — just the to-infinitive. Always include the person (told me, asked her), unlike 'say'.
How to report a command or request
Use reporting verb + object + to-infinitive.
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| ”Sit down.” | He told me to sit down. |
| ”Please wait.” | She asked me to wait. |
| ”Don’t touch that.” | He told me not to touch that. |
| ”Remember to call.” | She reminded me to call. |
| ”Don’t be late.” | He warned me not to be late. |
There is no backshift — the to-infinitive stays the same. Always include the person.
When and how to change things
1. Commands — tell
- “Open the window.” → She told me to open the window.
2. Requests — ask
- “Could you help me?” → He asked me to help him.
3. Negatives — not to
- “Don’t worry.” → She told me not to worry.
⚠️ Typical error: tell and ask need an object (me, him, us): He told me to wait — not
he told to wait.
Common mistakes
1. Forgetting the object. She told to sit down → She told me to sit down.
2. Wrong negative form. He told me don’t go → He told me not to go.
3. Using ‘say’ for commands. She said me to leave → She told me to leave.
✏️ Practice: Reported Commands & Requests
1. "Sit down." → The teacher told us ___ down.
2. "Please help me." → She asked me ___ her.
3. "Don't touch the stove." → He told me ___ the stove.
4. "Remember to lock the door." → She reminded me ___ the door.
5. Choose the correct version of: 'He told to wait.'
6. "Could you close the door, please?" → She asked him ___ the door.
7. "Don't be late." → He warned us ___ late.
8. "Take these pills twice a day." → The doctor advised her ___ the pills twice a day.
9. Which sentence reports a command correctly?
10. "Please don't tell anyone." → He asked me ___ anyone.
11. Complete the sentence
"Open the window," the teacher said to us. → The teacher told us ___ the window.
Type the missing words.
12. Correct the mistake
He told me don't go.
Type the whole corrected sentence.
13. Complete the sentence
"Please wait," she said to me. → She asked me ___.
Type the missing words.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a command?
Use 'tell' + object + to-infinitive: 'Be quiet.' → She told us to be quiet.
How do I report a request?
Use 'ask' + object + to-infinitive: 'Could you wait?' → He asked me to wait.
How do I make it negative?
Put 'not' before 'to': 'Don't be late.' → She told me not to be late.
Do I need to name the person?
Yes. Tell and ask need an object: He told me to go, She asked him to stay — not 'He told to go'.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Reported Commands & Requests”:
- Can report commands and requests with tell/ask + object + to-infinitive (CEFR B1).
- Can form negatives with 'not to'.
- Can select the reporting verb (tell, ask, advise, warn, remind).
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