Reported Speech – Commands and Requests

Form

(Reporting Verb) + Object + to + Infinitive.

Command: “Do your homework!” → She told me to do my homework.

Request: “Please help me.” → He asked me to help him.


Meanings

No Backshifting!

When we report commands and requests, we do not backshift the tense. Instead, we use a simple and consistent structure: Reporting Verb + Object + (not) to + Infinitive.

Direct: “Sit down.”

Reported: The teacher told the students to sit down.


Practice exercises