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. Pro tip: command = tell + person + to; request = ask + person + to; negative = not to.
✏️ 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. Correct this: '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.
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).
⬇︎ Download the Lesson Pack (PDF)
Printable worksheet + answer key + one-page summary. Free to use and print in class with attribution. Join the newsletter for new packs and cheat sheets.