Page 41 - Grasp English B2 (Grammar Book)
P. 41
Academics 7
Reported speech: commands
When we report speech we report waht
someone says, and we make changes. In
reported speech, we may need to change
the pronouns, verb tenses, and time phrases
in the original statement.
The reporting verbs say and tell are used to
report a statement. The reporting verb say
isn’t followed by an object pronoun, unlike
the verb tell. Also, using that after these
words is optional. We don’t have to use it in
every sentence.
e.g.
“I can help you with the project.”
Brian said (that) he could help me with my Usually, when we use reported speech,
project. we have to change the tense of the verb.
“I enjoy playing board games.” However, when we report commands, we
Rita told her friends (that) she enjoyed simply change the person and time phrase.
playing board games. e.g.
Direct command – Mum: Clean your room
today.
Reported command – My mum told me to
clean my room that day.
When we report affirmative commands we
use to + infinitive.
e.g.
Direct command: “Question your history
lessons at school.”
Reported command: People who believe
this tell us to question our history lessons at
school.
When we report negative commands we
use not + to + infinitive.
e.g.
Direct command: “Don’t trust our world
leaders.”
Reported command: Those who believe that
our world leaders are unreliable have told
us not to trust them.
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