Reported speech in orders and requests

Which verb is most appropriate for reporting the sentence: 'Please be quiet in the library.'?

• ordered

• asked

• demanded

• warned

Answer explanation

The word 'please' indicates a polite request, so 'asked' is the most appropriate reporting verb. 'Ordered' and 'demanded' are too strong, and 'warned' implies danger.

Complete the sentence: My dad said, 'Take out the trash.' In reported speech, this is: My dad told me _____ out the trash.

• taking

• took

• to take

• take

Answer explanation

When reporting an order or command, the structure is reporting verb + object + to-infinitive. 'To take' is the correct to-infinitive form.

True or False: The sentence 'The coach told us not to give up' is the correct reported form of the command 'Don't give up!'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is correct. To report a negative command, we use the structure: reporting verb + object + 'not to' + the base form of the verb.

Sarah said to me, 'Can you help me with my project?' How should this be reported?

• Sarah asked me to help her with her project.

• Sarah told me to help me with my project.

• Sarah asked me can you help her with her project.

• Sarah ordered me helping her with her project.

Answer explanation

This correctly changes the request into the 'ask + object + to-infinitive' structure and shifts the pronouns 'me' and 'my' to 'her'. The other options have incorrect pronoun shifts or grammatical structures.

The doctor said to him, 'You should get more rest.' Which sentence best reports this advice?

• The doctor ordered him to get more rest.

• The doctor advised him to get more rest.

• The doctor asked him if he should get more rest.

• The doctor told him you should get more rest.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'you should' indicates advice, making 'advised' the best reporting verb. 'Ordered' is too strong for advice, and the other options use incorrect structures for reported commands.

Complete the sentence: The lifeguard shouted, 'Don't run near the pool!' This can be reported as: The lifeguard warned us _____ near the pool.

• to not run

• don't run

• not to run

• not running

Answer explanation

For negative commands or warnings in reported speech, the correct structure is 'not to' followed by the base verb. 'To not run' is a split infinitive and less standard in this context.

True or False: When changing a direct command like 'Finish your homework!' to reported speech, the quotation marks are removed.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In reported speech, we are reporting what was said, not quoting it directly. Therefore, quotation marks and specific punctuation like exclamation points are removed and replaced with standard sentence punctuation.

The teacher said, 'Everyone, open your books to page 50.' Which sentence correctly reports this command?

• The teacher told us to open our books to page 50.

• The teacher asked us that we should open our books to page 50.

• The teacher said to us open your books to page 50.

• The teacher ordered us opening our books to page 50.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses the 'tell + object + to-infinitive' structure and changes the pronoun 'your' to 'our' to reflect the change in perspective. The other options use incorrect grammar.

If a friend reports, 'My mom told me not to be late,' what was the most likely direct command?

• "You shouldn't be late."

• "Please don't be late."

• "Don't be late."

• "Could you not be late?"

Answer explanation

The reported command 'told me not to be late' directly corresponds to the negative imperative 'Don't be late.' The other options are a suggestion, a polite request, or a question.

Complete the sentence: My sister said to me, 'Don't forget to text me when you get there.' This is reported as: My sister reminded me _____ her when I get there.

• to not forget to text

• not to forget to text

• don't forget to text

• not forgetting to text

Answer explanation

To report a negative reminder or order, we use the structure 'reminded + object + not to + verb'. This option also correctly changes the pronoun 'me' to 'her'.