Reporting Commands, Requests and Suggestions
Reporting commands, requests, and suggestions requires transforming imperative structures into infinitive constructions that accurately convey the directive nature of the original speech whilst maintaining appropriate levels of politeness and authority. Unlike statements and questions, imperatives in reported speech use infinitive patterns with specific reporting verbs that reflect the tone and intent of the original instruction, request, or suggestion.
The key to successfully reporting imperatives lies in choosing the appropriate reporting verb and structure that accurately reflects the relationship between speakers and the nature of the directive. Commands require different reporting verbs than polite requests, and suggestions need different structures than direct orders. This precision in verb choice ensures that the reported speech maintains the social and communicative context of the original interaction.
Understanding how to report imperatives is essential for professional communication, academic writing, legal documentation, and everyday situations where we need to relay instructions, requests, or advice that others have given. The ability to accurately report different types of directives whilst maintaining their original intent and level of formality is crucial for effective communication and clear documentation of interactions.
Mastering reported commands, requests, and suggestions will enhance your ability to write meeting minutes, document conversations, relay instructions accurately, and communicate complex directive interactions in both formal and informal contexts. This skill is particularly valuable for management communication, training documentation, legal reporting, and any situation where precise communication of directives and recommendations is essential for clarity and accountability.
Basic Structures for Reporting Imperatives
Fundamental Patterns
Basic Command Structure:
told/asked + person + to + infinitive
Direct: "Close the door."
Reported: She told me to close the door.
Direct: "Please help me."
Reported: He asked me to help him.
Negative Commands:
told/asked + person + not to + infinitive
Direct: "Don't be late."
Reported: She told me not to be late.
Direct: "Please don't worry."
Reported: He asked me not to worry.
Key Points:
- Use "told" for commands and direct instructions
- Use "asked" for polite requests
- Always include the person who received the instruction
- Use infinitive structure (to + base verb)
- Place "not" before "to" for negative instructions
Reporting Verbs for Different Types of Instructions
Commands & Orders:
- told - direct instruction
- ordered - authoritative command
- commanded - formal/military
- instructed - formal direction
- demanded - forceful insistence
Requests & Appeals:
- asked - polite request
- requested - formal asking
- begged - desperate appeal
- pleaded - urgent request
- invited - welcoming request
Advice & Suggestions:
- advised - professional guidance
- suggested - mild recommendation
- recommended - strong advice
- urged - strong encouragement
- warned - cautionary advice
Alternative Reporting Structures
Infinitive Structures:
Standard: She told me to wait here.
Formal: She instructed me to wait here.
Polite: She asked me to wait here.
Strong: She ordered me to wait here.
That-clause Structures:
Suggestion: She suggested that I should wait.
Recommendation: She recommended that I wait.
Insistence: She insisted that I wait.
Demand: She demanded that I wait.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ She said me to close the door.
✅ She told me to close the door.
Use 'told' or 'asked', not 'said' for reporting commands
❌ He told to me be quiet.
✅ He told me to be quiet.
Object pronoun comes before 'to', not after 'told'
❌ She asked me that I help her.
✅ She asked me to help her.
Use infinitive structure, not 'that' clause for commands/requests
❌ He told me don't go there.
✅ He told me not to go there.
Use 'not to' for negative commands, not 'don't'
❌ They suggested me to try it.
✅ They suggested that I try it. / They suggested trying it.
'Suggest' doesn't take person + infinitive structure
Reporting Verbs by Strength and Formality
| Strength | Informal | Neutral | Formal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weak/Polite | asked, suggested | requested, invited | requested, proposed |
| Medium | told, advised | instructed, recommended | directed, specified |
| Strong | ordered, demanded | commanded, required | mandated, decreed |
| Special | begged, pleaded | warned, threatened | cautioned, admonished |
Special Patterns and Exceptions
Verbs with Different Structures:
suggest: suggested trying / suggested that I try
recommend: recommended seeing / recommended that I see
insist: insisted on going / insisted that I go
forbid: forbade me to go / forbade going
Let/Make in Reported Speech:
"Let me help": → offered to help
"Let's go": → suggested going
"Make sure you...": → told me to make sure
"Don't make me...": → asked me not to make him
Practice Guidelines
Steps for Reporting Commands:
- Identify the type: Command, request, suggestion, warning, etc.
- Choose appropriate reporting verb: Consider politeness and authority level
- Include the recipient: Always mention who received the instruction
- Use infinitive structure: Convert imperative to "to + base verb"
- Handle negatives correctly: Use "not to" for negative commands
- Adjust time/place references: Change according to reported speech rules
- Check for completeness: Ensure all elements of the original are included