Summary Comparison: Commands and Requests in Reported Speech

In reported speech, commands and requests are transformed from the direct speech form into a reported speech format. These changes are necessary to maintain the correct structure and meaning. The main transformation involves adjusting the verb form and word order, and adding reporting verbs. Let’s examine how commands and requests are reported in speech and the changes that occur.

1. Commands in Reported Speech:

1.1 Direct Speech → Reported Speech

In direct speech, commands usually involve the imperative form of the verb. In reported speech, the structure changes to a statement, and the verb is often modified. The reporting verb is typically in the past tense and the direct command is turned into an indirect statement.

• Example:
  Direct speech: "Close the door!"
  Reported speech: He told me to close the door.

Explanation: The imperative verb "close" is changed into a statement form with the reporting verb told followed by to and the base form of the verb ("close").

1.2 Reporting Verbs for Commands

Commands are usually reported using verbs like tell, order, advise, ask, or instruct. These reporting verbs reflect the nature of the command and can be followed by an infinitive verb.

• Example:
  Direct speech: "Please give me the book."
  Reported speech: She asked me to give her the book.

Explanation: The request is transformed into a reported statement by using asked as the reporting verb. The infinitive to give is used after the reporting verb.

2. Requests in Reported Speech:

2.1 Direct Speech → Reported Speech

Requests are similar to commands in reported speech, but they are often less direct and involve polite language. The imperative verb changes into the infinitive form after the reporting verb.

• Example:
  Direct speech: "Could you help me?"
  Reported speech: She asked if I could help her.

Explanation: In reported speech, the modal verb could remains the same, and the word order changes to that of a statement.

2.2 Reporting Verbs for Requests

Requests are commonly reported using verbs such as ask, request, or enquire. These verbs convey the polite nature of the request and are followed by the infinitive verb form.

• Example:
  Direct speech: "Can you bring me the file?"
  Reported speech: He asked me to bring him the file.

Explanation: The reporting verb asked introduces the request, and to bring is used after the reporting verb in the infinitive form.

3. General Rules for Reporting Commands and Requests:

• Commands are usually reported with imperative sentences transformed into indirect statements. The reporting verb is typically in the past tense and followed by to and the infinitive form of the verb.

• Requests are often reported using polite verbs like ask, request, enquire. The imperative verb is changed to the infinitive form after the reporting verb.

• In both commands and requests, pronouns might need to change based on the speaker’s perspective in the reported speech.