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Reported Speech Imperatives

Reported speech imperatives differ in structure to other reported speech sentences.

Imperatives are:

  • Commands: Keep quiet!
  • Requests: Please close the window
  • Advice: Go and lie down
  • Suggestions: Take the test next year instead

This is the structure that we use:

Structure: reporting verb (e.g. ask, tell)   + noun/pronoun +  to infinitive 

Example: She asked me   to come  later

Reported Speech Imperatives

Here are some further examples using the imperative sentences above, showing them in direct speech and indirect speech.

Direct Speech:

  • She said, "Keep quiet!"
  • "Please close the window", the teacher said
  • He told her, "Go and lie down"
  • She said, "Take the test next year instead"

Reported Speech:

  • She instructed me to keep quiet
  • The teacher asked me to close the window
  • He told her to go and lie down
  • She advised them to take the test next year instead

Reporting Verbs for Imperatives

In normal reported speech, the common reporting verbs are said and told . For instance:

  • She said she was tired
  • He told me I should come tomorrow

There are many more, however, that are used with reported speech imperatives. Some are for orders while others are for polite requests.

Polite Request

Here are some more examples of reported speech imperatives using these verbs:

Polite Requests

  • My doctor  advised  me to sleep more
  • The government  urged  the people to use less water
  • She asked me to join her on holiday
  • They  reminded  us to put our seat belts on
  • He  requested  the guests to vacate their rooms
  • He begs her to stay
  • John told his brother to change direction
  • My boss  orders  me to work harder
  • She instructed them to learn the alphabet
  • The general  commanded his  soldiers to obey
  • The sign  forbade  them to enter

Suggest / demand / insist as Reported Verbs

Suggest  / demand / insist can be used as reported verb for imperatives; however, they do not follow the same pattern as above. That is because the structure for using them is as follows:

  • Suggest  /  demand / insis t  + that + someone

So this is how reported speech with these verbs will look:

  • Direct Speech: She said, "Study harder to pass your test"
  • Reported Speech: She suggested that I study harder to pass my test
  • Direct Speech:  He said, "Take a taxi home"
  • Reported Speech:  He insisted that we take a taxi home

You can't say:

  • She suggested me to study harder X
  • He insisted us to take a taxi home X

Negative Imperatives in Reported Speech

When we want to make an imperative reported speech sentence negative, we simply add in not before the ' to infinitive ': 

Negative Imperatives in Reported Speech

Structure: reporting verb  + noun/pronoun + not +  to infinitive 

Example: She advised me   not  to come late

Here are some examples of direct speech changed into indirect speech using negative imperatives.

  • She said, "Don't keep talking!"
  • "Please don't study too hard", the teacher said
  • He told her, "Don't wait up for me"
  • The doctor said, "Don't over eat" 
  • She instructed us not to keep keep talking
  • The teacher asked them  not to study to hard
  • He urged me not to wait up for him
  • The doctor advised me not to over eat

More on Reported Speech:

In these examples of direct and indirect speech you are given a sentence in direct speech which is then connected to indirect speech.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

In these examples of direct and indirect speech you are given a sentence in direct speech which is then connected to indirect speech.

Direct and indirect speech are different because in direct speech the exact words said are spoken, but in indirect or reported speech, we are reporting what was said, usually using the past tense.

Direct and Indirect Speech: The differences explained

Direct and indirect speech are different because in direct speech the exact words said are spoken, but in indirect or reported speech, we are reporting what was said, usually using the past tense.

This reported speech quiz gives you the chance to practice converting direct speech to reported speech, also known as indirect speech. This involves backshifting with the tenses.

Reported Speech Quiz - Practice forming indirect speech

This reported speech quiz gives you the chance to practice converting direct speech to reported speech, also known as indirect speech. This involves backshifting with the tenses.

Reported speech tenses may differ from the tense of the direct speech. The general rule for tenses in reported speech is that it changes to the past tense. This is called backshifting.

Reported Speech Tenses Chart: How to convert tenses

Reported speech tenses may differ from the tense of the direct speech. The general rule for tenses in reported speech is that it changes to the past tense. This is called backshifting.

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Imperative Reported Speech with Examples & Practise Exercises

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  • Updated on  
  • Jan 9, 2024

Imperative Reported Speech

Imperative Reported Speech: When studying English grammar , the candidate needs to have all the knowledge about imperative reported speech. By doing so, they will be able to construct sentences in a much better way. Imperative sentences in reported speech are used to give commands. In this blog, you will read about imperative reported speech which will help you learn about this concept. 

This Blog Includes:

What is an imperative sentence, what is imperative reported speech, imperative reported speech with verb from direct to indirect speech, imperative reported speech exercise 1, imperative reported speech exercise 2.

An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that gives commands or makes requests. These sentences usually take the form of the subjectless verb. The tone is often forceful, commanding and direct. 

Also Read: Imperative Sentence Passive Voice

Imperative in reported speech is a little bit different from regular sentences. They are generally used when one gives orders and we can also use them to make requests. 

In imperatives, we use “ask/tell somebody to do something.”

Reported speech imperatives differ in structure from other reported speech sentences. Some imperatives including examples are given here:  

Commands : Keep low!

Requests : Please close the gate

Advice : Move and lie down

Suggestions : Take the pill the next day instead

Below given examples below show how imperative is used in reported speech.

Imperative: “Come here.”

Reported Speech: She told me to come here.

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice: Rules, Examples & Exercise

An imperative sentence always indicates a command, advice or a request. Therefore, we must use appropriate verbs according to advice, command or request. Here is a list of verbs used to change direct speech into indirect speech as provided in the table below:

Request, Ask, beg, desire, entreat, pray, implore, solicit
Exhort, Urge, Persuade and Advice
Order, tell, command bid, change, require. (‘Forbid’) is the negative verb of command. 
Ask and tell

Another main key point in ‘tell’ is often used to express a ‘command’, ‘order’ or ‘request’. Therefore, it is safe to use ‘tell’ in the indirect form when there is doubt about a proper word to introduce a reported speech. 

Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

  • My brother said, “Would you like to have tea with me?”
  • He said to his teacher, “Please explain this poem to me.”
  • “Come quickly”, he shouted, “and help me as I am in grave danger.”
  • The saint said to the pupils, “Be quiet and listen to me carefully.”
  • “Be punctual from tomorrow,” my teacher said, “otherwise I will complain to the Principal.”

Also Read: Tenses Rules: Charts, Examples, Types [PDF Available]

Rewrite each sentence into reported speech.

  • Grandma said to me, “Please fetch my glasses.”
  • The librarian said to us, “Return the books in a month.”
  •  I said to the agent, ”Please book two tickets for America.”
  •  Andrew said, ”I’ll have a chicken sandwich and some coffee.”
  • He said, ”Fasten your seat belts.”

Check Your Answers:

  • Grandma asked me to kindly fetch her glasses.
  • The librarian told us to return the books in a month.
  • I requested the agent to book two tickets for America.
  • Andrew asked for a chicken sandwich and some coffee.
  • He asked us to fasten our seat belts.

Also Read: Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises For Class 8 

More Blogs on Reported Speech!

An example of an imperative in a reported speech are: He instructed me to keep quiet. The driver asked me to close the window of the bus.

To report an imperative, one can do so by using an infinitive along with a reporting verb. These will include tell, order instruct, win or direct.

In imperative speech, the sentence that expresses an advice, request or order is called an imperative speech.

To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu .

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Home / English Grammar / Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

Discover how to change the direct and indirect speech of Imperative sentences  into statements while  maintaining proper punctuation. In addition,  the use of  reporting verbs ,  changing word orde r, and at the same time using appropriate tone to convey the meaning of the original sentence for the direct and indirect speech of Imperative sentences.

Imperative Sentence

An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that gives a command or makes a request. It typically takes the form of a subjectless verb , and the tone is often forceful, direct, and commanding.

For examples,

  • “Close the door.” 
  • “Please pass the salt.”

People also Search:

direct to indirect Speech to Change Direct to Indirect Speech
direct to indirect Speech
direct to indirect Speech
direct to indirect Speech

Imperative Sentences of Direct Speech and Indirect Speech.

(a) Basically, the subject will be “you” and it is not written in the sentence, but it remains in understood condition. 

(b) On the other hand, such sentences imply someone to advise, to order, or to request.

Examples: 

  • Direct: Mother said to me,  “(You) Don’t run in the sun.”
  • Indirect: Mother advised me not to run in the sun.
  • Direct :  Bina said to me, “Bina said to me go and fetch a glass of water.”
  • Indirect: Bina told ( asked/ordered/requested ) me to go and fetch a glass of water.

Reporting Verbs for Imperative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech.

An imperative sentence always indicates a command, request, or advise. In order that we have to use appropriate Verbs according to command, request, or advise. A list of verbs used to change direct speech into indirect speech provides in the table below:

tell, order, command, change, bid, require. (‘Forbid’) is the negative verb of command.
ask, request, desire, beg, solicit, beseech, pray, entreat, implore.   
advice, exhort, urge, persuade.
Tell and ask.

Another key point is that ‘Tell ’ may often be used to express a ‘request’, ‘order, or ‘command’. As a result, it is often safer to use ‘ tell ’ in the indirect form when there is doubt about the proper word to introduce the Reported Speech.

Rules: Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences.

In indirect narration imperative sentence rules , the introductory or the Reporting Verb of an Imperative sentence expressing command, request, or desire transforms into an appropriate verb that expresses the intended meaning – tell, ask, request, order, command, beg, entreat, advise, implore.

First, look at the sentence given in the reported speech under Direct Narration.

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

In Indirect Narration, the Verb of the Reported Speech in an Imperative Sentence is changed into the Infinitive [ to + V( Base Form ) ]

Changes of Verbs for Imperative Sentences Direct and Indirect Speech.

Rule 3: 

If the Reported Speech is Negative, the word “ not ” is used in Indirect Narration before the Infinitive ( not + to )

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences Negative Forms

Expressions like ‘Please, Sir, Madam, etc are omitted in Indirect Narration, and their sense is expressed by adding adverbs like ‘politely’, ‘kindly’, ‘respectfully’, etc.

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences for Polite Expression

A Nominative of Address or a Vocative is omitted in indirect narration. The verb is followed by the person addressed and the Infinitive.

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences for Nominative or Vocative Sentences

When “Let” in the Direct Speech expresses a Proposal or Suggestion we may use “Should” or “Let” and change the Reporting Verb into proposing or suggest. [ It indicates Proposal or Suggestion]

When the Plural Form of Pronouns ( us etc ) is used after “Let”, [ Infinitive ( to + V)] is not used in Imperative Sentences beginning with “ Let.”

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences Proposal or Suggestion

Rule 7: 

But when “ Let ” does not express a proposal, it should be changed into might or might be allowed to or into some other form and the Reporting Verb in Indirect Speech might be a wish, request, told, ordered, say, etc. according to the meaning or sense of the sentence. 

[ It  does not indicate Proposal or Suggestion When Singular Form of Pronoun ( me, him, etc ) is used after “Let” ] [ Infinitive ( to + V) is not used in Imperative Sentence beginning with “ Let.”

Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences expressing wish

Changes of Persons in indirect narration have already been discussed on the previous page. Should be carefully studied.

Changes in Reporting Verb in Indirect Narration and the Verb of the reported speech in indirect narration also have been discussed in the General Rules section on the previous page. Should be carefully studied.

Direct and Indirect Speech Imperative Sentences Examples 2024

Note carefully the Changes in Imperative Sentences from Direct Speech to Indirect Speech.

Direct: Father said to me, “Go home at once.”

Indirect: Father ordered me to go home at once.

Direct: The teacher said to me, “Don’t come here.”

Indirect: The teacher ordered me not to go there. Or, The teacher forbade me to go there.

Direct: He said to me, ‘Please open the door.”

Indirect: He requested me to open the door. Or, He told me politely to open the door.

Direct: He said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.”

Indirect: He requested me to wait there till he returned.

Direct: I said to him, “Please explain the passage.”

Indirect: I requested him to explain the passage.

Direct: mother said to him, “Don’t run in the sun.”

Indirect: The mother advised him not to run in the sun. Or. Mother forbade him to run in the sun.

Direct: He said, “Ram, go there.”

Indirect: He told Ram to go there.

Direct: He said, “Friends, lend me your ears.”

Indirect: Addressing them as friends, he requested them to lend him their ears.

Direct: He shouted, “Stop, you villain !”

Indirect : He shouted to the villain to stop.  Or,  He ordered the villain to stop.  Or,  Calling the man a villain, he ordered him to stop.

Narration of imperative sentences exercise and Answers

Change the narration from direct to indirect speech.

Direct: “Shut the window,” she commanded. Indirect: She commanded to shut the window.

Direct: “Please bring me a glass of water,” he requested. Indirect: He requested to bring him a glass of water.

Direct: “Don’t touch that,” she warned. Indirect: She warned not to touch that.

Direct: “Help me with this assignment,” he asked. Indirect: He asked for help with that assignment.

Direct: “Pass me the salt,” she said. Indirect: She asked to pass her the salt.

Direct: “Please don’t disturb him,” she requested. Indirect: She requested not to disturb him.

Direct: “Open the door,” he ordered. Indirect: He ordered to open the door.

Direct: “Don’t be late for the meeting,” she advised. Indirect: She advised not to be late for the meeting.

Direct: “Pass me the book,” he requested. Indirect: He requested to pass him the book.

Direct: “Don’t forget to call me tomorrow,” she reminded. Indirect: She reminded not to forget to call her the next day.

Imperative Sentences Narration Change Examples with ‘Let’

Direct: “Let’s go to the park,” he suggested. Indirect: He suggested going to the park.

Direct: “Let her finish the presentation,” she proposed. Indirect: She proposed that she finish the presentation.

Direct: “Let’s not waste any more time,” he insisted. Indirect: He insisted on not wasting any more time.

Direct: “Let me help you with that,” she offered. Indirect: She offered to help with that.

Direct: “Let’s have dinner together,” he suggested. Indirect: He suggested having dinner together.

Direct: “Let’s not forget to send the email,” she reminded. Indirect: She reminded not to forget to send the email.

Direct: “Let him borrow your book,” he suggested. Indirect: He suggested allowing him to borrow your book.

Direct: “Let’s finish the project by Friday,” she urged. Indirect: She urged to finish the project by Friday.

Direct: “Let’s try a different approach,” he proposed. Indirect: He proposed trying a different approach.

Direct: “Let’s take a break,” she suggested. Indirect: She suggested taking a break.

Workout Examples of Imperative Sentences

Direct: I said to him, “Excuse me, sir.”

Indirect: I begged him to excuse me.

Direct: I said to him, “Let us have some music.”

Indirect: I proposed or suggested to him that we should have some music.

Direct: He said to his companions, “Let us not miss this chance.”

Indirect: He proposed (suggested) to his companions that they should not miss that chance.

Direct: We said, “Let him tell the story.”

Indirect: We said that he might (or might be allowed to) tell the story.

Direct: She said, Let him eat whatever he likes.”

Indirect: She said that he might (or might be allowed to) eat whatever he liked.

Direct: He said, “Let me come in.”

Indirect: He requested that he might be allowed to come in.

Exercises : Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

Change the following from Direct to Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentence 

1. He said to me. “Put out the light.”

2. Mother said, “Don’t idle away your time.”

3. The beggar said to the man, “Please help me with money.”

4. The teacher said, “Boys, don’t make noise in the class.”

5. “Be not afraid, noble prince”, said the philosopher.

6. The old man said, “Take care of yourself, little girl.”

7. He said to me, “Let me do my work.” 

8. He said, “Lie down, Tom.” 

9. He said, “Oil your own machine.”

10. The general said to his troops, “Capture the fort.”

11. The teacher said to me, “Don’t read so fast.”

12. The girl said to the woman, “Please excuse me, madam.”

13. Kaberi said to Raman, “Let me live in peace.”

14. He said, “Let me have my own way.”

15. The thirsty man said to the woman, “Bring me a glass of water.”

16. Mother said to the boy, “Come here soon.”

17. You said to me, “Follow me cautiously.”

18. He said to you, “Don’t look behind.”

19. Madam said to Della, “Take off your hat.”

20. Father said to Casabianca, “Do not leave the deck till I come back,”

Worksheet Imperative Sentence

Turn the following sentences into Indirect Speech :

(1) Father said, My son, “Don’t give up hope.”

(2) Mother said to the daughter, “Get ready to receive the guests.”

(3) The sergeant said to the constables, “Run after the miscreants.”

(4) The boy said to the pedestrian, “Please help me to get out of the trap.”

(5) The teacher said to the boys, “Read silently.”

(6) The secretary of the club said to the members, “Let us raise a fund to help flood victims.”

(7) The students said, “Let us play a friendly football match.”

(8) The grandmother said to the grandchildren, “Let me tell you a folk tale.”

(9) He said, “Let me do this sum.”

(10) You said to me, “Let me go with you.”

(11) She said, “Let me try it again.”

(12) They said, “Let us pray for Mother Teresa.”

(13) The monk said to us, “Give up bad habits.”

(14) Father said to me, “Do not tell a lie.”

(15) The master said to the servant, “Pack up the things in the bag.”

(16) The girl said to her mother, “Please forgive me for my misbehavior.”

(17) You said to me, “Let us take a holy dip in the Ganges.”

Related Posts:

Phrasal Verbs Meaning and Examples with Sentences

Reported Speech: Imperatives

Imperatives in reported speech are a little different than sentences. Imperatives can be used when we give orders and we can also use them to make requests.

For imperatives, we use “ask/tell somebody to do something”.

Compare these two sentences and how they are used in reported speech.

Statement: “It is good.”

Reported Speech: He said that it is good.

Imperative: “Come here.”

Reported Speech: She told me to come here.

So, we use “ask/tell + to + verb” to report a command or imperative.

  • “Be quiet.” The teacher told the students to be quiet.
  • “Sit down.” My boss told me to sit down.
  • “Wake up early.” She told me to wake up early.
  • “Please stop it.” He asked her to please stop it.
  • “Bring it, please.” He asked her to bring it, please.

Note: Use “tell” for orders and use “ask” for polite requests.

For negative imperatives, we use “not to + verb”. However, you will often hear native speakers say “to + not + verb”.

  • “Don’t do that.” She told me not to do that.
  • “Do not talk.” She told us not to talk.
  • “Please do not be late.” She asked me not to be late.
  • “Don’t be noisy.” I told her not to be noisy.

Note: Did you see the difference with negative imperatives with adjectives? Look at the last two examples. We leave out the verb “do”.

Make sure that you understand this English grammar well. It is important to know if you want to speak English fluently.

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Reported Speech – Rules, Examples

Photo of author

| Candace Osmond

Photo of author

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

They say gossip is a natural part of human life. That’s why language has evolved to develop grammatical rules about the “he said” and “she said” statements. We call them reported speech.

Every time we use reported speech in English, we are talking about something said by someone else in the past. Thinking about it brings me back to high school, when reported speech was the main form of language!

Learn all about the definition, rules, and examples of reported speech as I go over everything. I also included a worksheet at the end of the article so you can test your knowledge of the topic.

What Does Reported Speech Mean?

Grammarist Article Graphic V3 2022 10 25T162134.388

Reported speech is a term we use when telling someone what another person said. You can do this while speaking or writing.

There are two kinds of reported speech you can use: direct speech and indirect speech. I’ll break each down for you.

A direct speech sentence mentions the exact words the other person said. For example:

  • Kryz said, “These are all my necklaces.”

Indirect speech changes the original speaker’s words. For example:

  • Kryz said those were all her necklaces.

When we tell someone what another individual said, we use reporting verbs like told, asked, convinced, persuaded, and said. We also change the first-person figure in the quotation into the third-person speaker.

Reported Speech Examples

We usually talk about the past every time we use reported speech. That’s because the time of speaking is already done. For example:

  • Direct speech: The employer asked me, “Do you have experience with people in the corporate setting?”

Indirect speech: The employer asked me if I had experience with people in the corporate setting.

  • Direct speech: “I’m working on my thesis,” I told James.

Indirect speech: I told James that I was working on my thesis.

Reported Speech Structure

A speech report has two parts: the reporting clause and the reported clause. Read the example below:

  • Harry said, “You need to help me.”

The reporting clause here is William said. Meanwhile, the reported clause is the 2nd clause, which is I need your help.

What are the 4 Types of Reported Speech?

Aside from direct and indirect, reported speech can also be divided into four. The four types of reported speech are similar to the kinds of sentences: imperative, interrogative, exclamatory, and declarative.

Reported Speech Rules

The rules for reported speech can be complex. But with enough practice, you’ll be able to master them all.

Choose Whether to Use That or If

The most common conjunction in reported speech is that. You can say, “My aunt says she’s outside,” or “My aunt says that she’s outside.”

Use if when you’re reporting a yes-no question. For example:

  • Direct speech: “Are you coming with us?”

Indirect speech: She asked if she was coming with them.

Verb Tense Changes

Change the reporting verb into its past form if the statement is irrelevant now. Remember that some of these words are irregular verbs, meaning they don’t follow the typical -d or -ed pattern. For example:

  • Direct speech: I dislike fried chicken.

Reported speech: She said she disliked fried chicken.

Note how the main verb in the reported statement is also in the past tense verb form.

Use the simple present tense in your indirect speech if the initial words remain relevant at the time of reporting. This verb tense also works if the report is something someone would repeat. For example:

  • Slater says they’re opening a restaurant soon.
  • Maya says she likes dogs.

This rule proves that the choice of verb tense is not a black-and-white question. The reporter needs to analyze the context of the action.

Move the tense backward when the reporting verb is in the past tense. That means:

  • Present simple becomes past simple.
  • Present perfect becomes past perfect.
  • Present continuous becomes past continuous.
  • Past simple becomes past perfect.
  • Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous.

Here are some examples:

  • The singer has left the building. (present perfect)

He said that the singers had left the building. (past perfect)

  • Her sister gave her new shows. (past simple)
  • She said that her sister had given her new shoes. (past perfect)

If the original speaker is discussing the future, change the tense of the reporting verb into the past form. There’ll also be a change in the auxiliary verbs.

  • Will or shall becomes would.
  • Will be becomes would be.
  • Will have been becomes would have been.
  • Will have becomes would have.

For example:

  • Direct speech: “I will be there in a moment.”

Indirect speech: She said that she would be there in a moment.

Do not change the verb tenses in indirect speech when the sentence has a time clause. This rule applies when the introductory verb is in the future, present, and present perfect. Here are other conditions where you must not change the tense:

  • If the sentence is a fact or generally true.
  • If the sentence’s verb is in the unreal past (using second or third conditional).
  • If the original speaker reports something right away.
  • Do not change had better, would, used to, could, might, etc.

Changes in Place and Time Reference

Changing the place and time adverb when using indirect speech is essential. For example, now becomes then and today becomes that day. Here are more transformations in adverbs of time and places.

  • This – that.
  • These – those.
  • Now – then.
  • Here – there.
  • Tomorrow – the next/following day.
  • Two weeks ago – two weeks before.
  • Yesterday – the day before.

Here are some examples.

  • Direct speech: “I am baking cookies now.”

Indirect speech: He said he was baking cookies then.

  • Direct speech: “Myra went here yesterday.”

Indirect speech: She said Myra went there the day before.

  • Direct speech: “I will go to the market tomorrow.”

Indirect speech: She said she would go to the market the next day.

Using Modals

Grammarist Article Graphic V3 2022 10 25T162624.255

If the direct speech contains a modal verb, make sure to change them accordingly.

  • Will becomes would
  • Can becomes could
  • Shall becomes should or would.
  • Direct speech: “Will you come to the ball with me?”

Indirect speech: He asked if he would come to the ball with me.

  • Direct speech: “Gina can inspect the room tomorrow because she’s free.”

Indirect speech: He said Gina could inspect the room the next day because she’s free.

However, sometimes, the modal verb should does not change grammatically. For example:

  • Direct speech: “He should go to the park.”

Indirect speech: She said that he should go to the park.

Imperative Sentences

To change an imperative sentence into a reported indirect sentence, use to for imperative and not to for negative sentences. Never use the word that in your indirect speech. Another rule is to remove the word please . Instead, say request or say. For example:

  • “Please don’t interrupt the event,” said the host.

The host requested them not to interrupt the event.

  • Jonah told her, “Be careful.”
  • Jonah ordered her to be careful.

Reported Questions

When reporting a direct question, I would use verbs like inquire, wonder, ask, etc. Remember that we don’t use a question mark or exclamation mark for reports of questions. Below is an example I made of how to change question forms.

  • Incorrect: He asked me where I live?

Correct: He asked me where I live.

Here’s another example. The first sentence uses direct speech in a present simple question form, while the second is the reported speech.

  • Where do you live?

She asked me where I live.

Wrapping Up Reported Speech

My guide has shown you an explanation of reported statements in English. Do you have a better grasp on how to use it now?

Reported speech refers to something that someone else said. It contains a subject, reporting verb, and a reported cause.

Don’t forget my rules for using reported speech. Practice the correct verb tense, modal verbs, time expressions, and place references.

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reported speech for imperative sentences

  • English Grammar
  • Reported Speech

Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples

Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.

reported speech for imperative sentences

Table of Contents

Definition of reported speech, rules to be followed when using reported speech, table 1 – change of pronouns, table 2 – change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time, table 3 – change of tense, table 4 – change of modal verbs, tips to practise reported speech, examples of reported speech, check your understanding of reported speech, frequently asked questions on reported speech in english, what is reported speech.

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

Reported speech is a little different from direct speech . As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.

  • The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
  • You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.
Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)
  • You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence , you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop . When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs – enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark . In case you are reporting imperative sentences , you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences , you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark . Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.
  • Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure , tense , pronouns , modal verbs , some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.

Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech

As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.

I He, she
Me Him, her
We They
Us Them
You He, she, they
You Him, her, them
My His, her
Mine His, hers
Our Their
Ours Theirs
Your His, her, their
Yours His, hers, theirs
This That
These Those
Here There
Now Then
Today That day
Tomorrow The next day / The following day
Yesterday The previous day
Tonight That night
Last week The week before
Next week The week after
Last month The previous month
Next month The following month
Last year The previous year
Next year The following year
Ago Before
Thus So
Simple Present

Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.”

Simple Past

Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta.

Present Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.”

Past Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta.

Present Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I have cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Present Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I have been cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Simple Past

Example: Preethi said, “I cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I was cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I had cooked pasta.”

Past Perfect (No change)

Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I had been cooking pasta.”

Past Perfect Continuous (No change)

Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking pasta.

Will Would
May Might
Can Could
Shall Should
Has/Have Had

Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.

  • Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
  • Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.
  • Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.

  • Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.
  • Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.
  • Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.
  • The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.
  • Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.
  • Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.
  • Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
  • Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.
  • The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.
  • Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.

Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.

1. Rachel said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”

2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”

3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”

4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”

5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”

6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the invitations?”

7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”

8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”

9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”

10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”

Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.

1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.

2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.

3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.

4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.

5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.

6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.

7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.

8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.

9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.

10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.

What is reported speech?

What is the definition of reported speech.

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words.” The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as “speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person’s actual words.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as “the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as “the words that you use to report what someone else has said.”

What is the formula of reported speech?

You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech. Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)

Give some examples of reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.

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reported speech for imperative sentences

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Imperatives in Reported Speech

Reported speech - lesson #4.

  • "Be quiet." The teacher told the students to be quiet.
  • "Sit down." My boss told me to sit down.
  • "Wake up early." She told me to wake up early.
  • "Please stop it." He asked her to please stop it.
  • "Bring it, please." He asked her to bring it, please.
  • "Don't do that." She told me not to do that.
  • "Do not talk." She told us not to talk.
  • "Please do not be late." She asked me not to be late.
  • "Don't be noisy." I told her not to be noisy.

Reported Speech

Perfect english grammar.

reported speech for imperative sentences

Reported Statements

Here's how it works:

We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'. ( Click here for more about using 'say' and 'tell' .) If this verb is in the present tense, it's easy. We just put 'she says' and then the sentence:

  • Direct speech: I like ice cream.
  • Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.

We don't need to change the tense, though probably we do need to change the 'person' from 'I' to 'she', for example. We also may need to change words like 'my' and 'your'. (As I'm sure you know, often, we can choose if we want to use 'that' or not in English. I've put it in brackets () to show that it's optional. It's exactly the same if you use 'that' or if you don't use 'that'.)

But , if the reporting verb is in the past tense, then usually we change the tenses in the reported speech:

  • Reported speech: She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present simple I like ice cream She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present continuous I am living in London She said (that) she was living in London.
past simple I bought a car She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car.
past continuous I was walking along the street She said (that) she had been walking along the street.
present perfect I haven't seen Julie She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
past perfect* I had taken English lessons before She said (that) she had taken English lessons before.
will I'll see you later She said (that) she would see me later.
would* I would help, but... She said (that) she would help but...
can I can speak perfect English She said (that) she could speak perfect English.
could* I could swim when I was four She said (that) she could swim when she was four.
shall I shall come later She said (that) she would come later.
should* I should call my mother She said (that) she should call her mother
might* I might be late She said (that) she might be late
must I must study at the weekend She said (that) she must study at the weekend OR She said she had to study at the weekend

* doesn't change.

  • Direct speech: The sky is blue.
  • Reported speech: She said (that) the sky is/was blue.

Click here for a mixed tense exercise about practise reported statements. Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.

Reported Questions

So now you have no problem with making reported speech from positive and negative sentences. But how about questions?

  • Direct speech: Where do you live?
  • Reported speech: She asked me where I lived.
  • Direct speech: Where is Julie?
  • Reported speech: She asked me where Julie was.
Where is the Post Office, please? She asked me where the Post Office was.
What are you doing? She asked me what I was doing.
Who was that fantastic man? She asked me who that fantastic man had been.
  • Direct speech: Do you like chocolate?
  • Reported speech: She asked me if I liked chocolate.
Do you love me? He asked me if I loved him.
Have you ever been to Mexico? She asked me if I had ever been to Mexico.
Are you living here?
She asked me if I was living here.

Click here to practise reported 'wh' questions. Click here to practise reported 'yes / no' questions. Reported Requests

There's more! What if someone asks you to do something (in a polite way)? For example:

  • Direct speech: Close the window, please
  • Or: Could you close the window please?
  • Or: Would you mind closing the window please?
  • Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
Please help me. She asked me to help her.
Please don't smoke. She asked me not to smoke.
Could you bring my book tonight? She asked me to bring her book that night.
Could you pass the milk, please? She asked me to pass the milk.
Would you mind coming early tomorrow? She asked me to come early the next day.
  • Direct speech: Please don't be late.
  • Reported speech: She asked us not to be late.

Reported Orders

  • Direct speech: Sit down!
  • Reported speech: She told me to sit down.
Go to bed! He told the child to go to bed.
Don't worry! He told her not to worry.
Be on time! He told me to be on time.
Don't smoke! He told us not to smoke.
  • Click here for an exercise to practise reported requests and orders.
nowthen / at that time
todayyesterday / that day / Tuesday / the 27th of June
yesterdaythe day before yesterday / the day before / Wednesday / the 5th of December
last nightthe night before, Thursday night
last weekthe week before / the previous week
tomorrowtoday / the next day / the following day / Friday
  • Click here for an exercise about using 'say' and 'tell'.
  • Click here for a list of all the reported speech exercises.

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Reporting imperatives

reporting verb + somebody + to-infinitive

When we report an imperative sentence or a request, we usually use a to -infinitive structure:

Mother: Put away your toys, Johnny . Johnny's mother told him to put away his toys .
Teacher: Everybody, please stand up. The teacher asked the class to stand up .
Examiner: Could you speak a bit louder? The examiner asked me to speak louder .

Examples of reporting verbs used to report imperatives and requests:

Reporting verbs used with the -infinitive

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reported speech for imperative sentences

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reported speech for imperative sentences

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Indirect speech – Imperatives

Imperatives in Indirect Speech: English Grammar

Hey you! Stop what you’re doing and read this now! In this blog post we’ll look at how to use indirect speech to report  imperative statements.

If you want to brush up on the general rules for using indirect speech check out our direct and indirect speech blog post, then come back here.

What is the imperative?

Did I seem a bit rude in the opening paragraph? Sorry, but I was using some examples of the imperative. In English the imperative often sounds a bit rude or aggressive. It is normally used by people in positions of authority like parents, teachers, police officers or bosses to give orders or instructions. So be careful not to use the imperative if you want to sound friendly! If we say please at the end of an imperative statement it still sounds like an order, but a more polite order.

Forming the imperative

Before we look at changing imperative statements to indirect speech, let’s look at a few more examples of imperative statements. To form the imperative in English we simply use the infinitive form of the verb, without to :

Open the door! Stop talking! Close your books, please. Tell me the truth!

Indirect Speech Imperatives

When we change an imperative from direct speech into indirect speech we use the verbs told , ordered or commanded and we use the infinitive with to instead of the imperative.

For example:

Direct speech: Open the door! Indirect speech: He told me to open the door.

Direct speech: Stop talking! Indirect speech: She ordered me to stop talking.

When we change a negative imperative from direct speech into indirect speech we must also use the verbs told , ordered or commanded and put the word not before the infinitive.

Direct speech: Don’t close your books! Indirect speech: The teacher told the students not to close their books.

Direct speech: Don’t move your car! Indirect speech: The police officer ordered the man not to move his car.

Direct speech: Don’t say a word! Indirect speech: She told us not to say a word.

It’s nice to be polite!

Most communication in English is done in a polite way. We often express our ideas in a less direct way than in some other languages. So instead of using the imperative and saying:

Close the window!

Could you close the window, please? or: Would you mind closing the window?

Test Yourself

To form the imperative in English we______________.

Which is in the correct form?

Which verbs can we use to report imperative statements?

Which is correct?

Change to indirect speech: "Don't say a word."

Your score is

Restart quiz

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Reported speech: indirect speech

Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech , the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command.

direct

indirect

reported clause

statement

) I was tired.

-clause

question

.

.

clause clause

clause

command

.

-infinitive clause

Indirect speech: reporting statements

Indirect reports of statements consist of a reporting clause and a that -clause. We often omit that , especially in informal situations:

The pilot commented that the weather had been extremely bad as the plane came in to land. (The pilot’s words were: ‘The weather was extremely bad as the plane came in to land.’ )
I told my wife I didn’t want a party on my 50th birthday. ( that -clause without that ) (or I told my wife that I didn’t want a party on my 50th birthday .)

Indirect speech: reporting questions

Reporting yes-no questions and alternative questions.

Indirect reports of yes-no questions and questions with or consist of a reporting clause and a reported clause introduced by if or whether . If is more common than whether . The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:

She asked if [S] [V] I was Scottish. (original yes-no question: ‘Are you Scottish?’ )
The waiter asked whether [S] we [V] wanted a table near the window. (original yes-no question: ‘Do you want a table near the window? )
He asked me if [S] [V] I had come by train or by bus. (original alternative question: ‘Did you come by train or by bus?’ )

Questions: yes-no questions ( Are you feeling cold? )

Reporting wh -questions

Indirect reports of wh -questions consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a wh -word ( who, what, when, where, why, how ). We don’t use a question mark:

He asked me what I wanted.
Not: He asked me what I wanted?

The reported clause is in statement form (subject + verb), not question form:

She wanted to know who [S] we [V] had invited to the party.
Not: … who had we invited …

Who , whom and what

In indirect questions with who, whom and what , the wh- word may be the subject or the object of the reported clause:

I asked them who came to meet them at the airport. ( who is the subject of came ; original question: ‘Who came to meet you at the airport?’ )
He wondered what the repairs would cost. ( what is the object of cost ; original question: ‘What will the repairs cost?’ )
She asked us what [S] we [V] were doing . (original question: ‘What are you doing?’ )
Not: She asked us what were we doing?

When , where , why and how

We also use statement word order (subject + verb) with when , where, why and how :

I asked her when [S] it [V] had happened (original question: ‘When did it happen?’ ).
Not: I asked her when had it happened?
I asked her where [S] the bus station [V] was . (original question: ‘Where is the bus station?’ )
Not: I asked her where was the bus station?
The teacher asked them how [S] they [V] wanted to do the activity . (original question: ‘How do you want to do the activity?’ )
Not: The teacher asked them how did they want to do the activity?

Questions: wh- questions

Indirect speech: reporting commands

Indirect reports of commands consist of a reporting clause, and a reported clause beginning with a to -infinitive:

The General ordered the troops to advance . (original command: ‘Advance!’ )
The chairperson told him to sit down and to stop interrupting . (original command: ‘Sit down and stop interrupting!’ )

We also use a to -infinitive clause in indirect reports with other verbs that mean wanting or getting people to do something, for example, advise, encourage, warn :

They advised me to wait till the following day. (original statement: ‘You should wait till the following day.’ )
The guard warned us not to enter the area. (original statement: ‘You must not enter the area.’ )

Verbs followed by a to -infinitive

Indirect speech: present simple reporting verb

We can use the reporting verb in the present simple in indirect speech if the original words are still true or relevant at the time of reporting, or if the report is of something someone often says or repeats:

Sheila says they’re closing the motorway tomorrow for repairs.
Henry tells me he’s thinking of getting married next year.
Rupert says dogs shouldn’t be allowed on the beach. (Rupert probably often repeats this statement.)

Newspaper headlines

We often use the present simple in newspaper headlines. It makes the reported speech more dramatic:

JUDGE TELLS REPORTER TO LEAVE COURTROOM
PRIME MINISTER SAYS FAMILIES ARE TOP PRIORITY IN TAX REFORM

Present simple ( I work )

Reported speech

Reported speech: direct speech

Indirect speech: past continuous reporting verb

In indirect speech, we can use the past continuous form of the reporting verb (usually say or tell ). This happens mostly in conversation, when the speaker wants to focus on the content of the report, usually because it is interesting news or important information, or because it is a new topic in the conversation:

Rory was telling me the big cinema in James Street is going to close down. Is that true?
Alex was saying that book sales have gone up a lot this year thanks to the Internet.

‘Backshift’ refers to the changes we make to the original verbs in indirect speech because time has passed between the moment of speaking and the time of the report.

direct speech

indirect speech

not very happy at work.’

not very happy at work.

going home.’

going home.

be late.’

be late.

been working,’ she said.

.

to make her so angry?’ he asked.

to make her so angry.

In these examples, the present ( am ) has become the past ( was ), the future ( will ) has become the future-in-the-past ( would ) and the past ( happened ) has become the past perfect ( had happened ). The tenses have ‘shifted’ or ‘moved back’ in time.

direct

indirect

present simple

past simple

present continuous

past continuous

present perfect simple

past perfect simple

present perfect continuous

past perfect continuous

past simple

past perfect simple

past continuous

past perfect continuous

future (will)

future-in-the-past (would)

past perfect

past perfect (no change)

The past perfect does not shift back; it stays the same:

Direct speech

Indirect speech

already left.

Modal verbs

Some, but not all, modal verbs ‘shift back’ in time and change in indirect speech.

direct speech

indirect speech

change

be there,’ he promised.

be there.

becomes

need more money.’

I open it?’ she asked.

need more money.

open it.

usually becomes

in reported questions, becomes

see you at 2.30,’ he added.

see me at 2.30.

becomes

be back later,’ she said.

wait in the hallway,’ he said.

be back later.

wait in the hallway.

(possibility) becomes

(permission) becomes

pay by 30th April.’

be awful to live in such a noisy place,’ she said.

pay by 30th April.

be awful to live in such a noisy place.

(obligation) usually becomes

(speculation) does not change

sell it for about 2,000 euros,’ he said.

sell it for about 2,000 euros.

no change

go there immediately,’ she said.

go there immediately.

no change

buy it if I had the money,’ he said.

buy it if he had the money.

no change

snow tonight,’ he warned.

snow that night.

no change

come till six o’clock,’ he said.

come till six o’clock.

no change

We can use a perfect form with have + - ed form after modal verbs, especially where the report looks back to a hypothetical event in the past:

He said the noise might have been the postman delivering letters. (original statement: ‘The noise might be the postman delivering letters.’ )
He said he would have helped us if we’d needed a volunteer. (original statement: ‘I’ll help you if you need a volunteer’ or ‘I’d help you if you needed a volunteer.’ )

Used to and ought to do not change in indirect speech:

She said she used to live in Oxford. (original statement: ‘I used to live in Oxford.’ )
The guard warned us that we ought to leave immediately. (original statement: ‘You ought to leave immediately.’ )

No backshift

We don’t need to change the tense in indirect speech if what a person said is still true or relevant or has not happened yet. This often happens when someone talks about the future, or when someone uses the present simple, present continuous or present perfect in their original words:

He told me his brother works for an Italian company. (It is still true that his brother works for an Italian company.)
She said she ’s getting married next year. (For the speakers, the time at the moment of speaking is ‘this year’.)
He said he ’s finished painting the door. (He probably said it just a short time ago.)
She promised she ’ll help us. (The promise applies to the future.)

Indirect speech: changes to pronouns

Changes to personal pronouns in indirect reports depend on whether the person reporting the speech and the person(s) who said the original words are the same or different.

direct

indirect

don’t want to shock people,’ Tom said.

said he didn’t want to shock people.

different speakers ( changes to )

’ll look after Toby,’ I said.

said I would look after Toby.

same speaker (no change)

need to be here at nine o’clock,’ George told Beatrice.

told Beatrice she needed to be there at nine o’clock.

different speakers ( changes to )

hope you will join us tonight,’ I said to James.

told James I hoped he would join us that night.

same speaker (no change to ; changes to )

Indirect speech: changes to adverbs and demonstratives

We often change demonstratives ( this, that ) and adverbs of time and place ( now, here, today , etc.) because indirect speech happens at a later time than the original speech, and perhaps in a different place.

direct speech

indirect speech

.’

the next/following day.

this moment in time.’

.

.”

.

,’ the boy protested.

.

Typical changes to demonstratives, adverbs and adverbial expressions

direct

indirect

Indirect speech: typical errors

The word order in indirect reports of wh- questions is the same as statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order:

She always asks me where [S] [V] I am going .
Not: She always asks me where am I going .

We don’t use a question mark when reporting wh- questions:

I asked him what he was doing.
Not: I asked him what he was doing?

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Word of the Day

procrastination

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the act of delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring

Like a bull in a china shop: talking about people who are clumsy

Like a bull in a china shop: talking about people who are clumsy

reported speech for imperative sentences

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Reported Speech Imperatives Exercise

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  • Reported Speech (Imperatives) Quiz

Try this quiz to test your understanding of reported speech of imperative sentences.

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Reported speech - 1

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Worksheets - handouts

Reported speech

Worksheets - pdf exercises.

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  • Direct Indirect

Imperative Sentences

Definition:-  Such sentences in which command, order or advice is found are called Imperative Sentences.

Model Sentences

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
1. The teacher said to the students,"Open your note books and revise your lesson." The teacher ordered the students to open their notebooks and write their lesson.  
2. He said to the boys,"Don't misbehave with your parents." He advised the boys not to misbehave with their parents.  
3. Principal of our college said to me,"Do not waste your time." Principal of our college forbade me to waste my time.
OR
Principal of our college advised me not to waste my time.
4. The teacher said to me,"Please don't elaborate your answers unnecessarily." The teacher requested me not to elaborate my answers unnecessarily.    
5. Father said to his son,"Don't quarrel." Father advised his son not to quarrel.
6. He said to me,"Wait here till I return." He ordered me to wait here till he returned.

Rules of Conversion:-  To convert these sentences into indirect narration following instructions must be observed.

  • Change said into ordered , requested , forbade , warned , threatened , urged , begged , implore or advised according to the sense of sentence.
  • Write 'to' in the place of inverted commas .
  • Change pronouns of reported speech according to rules stated in change of pronouns lesson.
  • Do not change tense of reported speech.
  • Change 'Do not' into 'not to' in reported speech in negative sentences.

Exercise No.8

Change the voice..

  • He said to me,"Don't stay here anymore."
  • The poor man said to me,"Please help me."
  • The teacher said to the students,"Respect elders"."
  • He said to the customer,"Come in please"."
  • The superintendent of jail said to the prisoners,"Do not fight in the prison."
  • Class Representative(CR) said to the class fellows,"Do not make a noise."
  • The teacher said to Ali,"Stand up on the bench."
  • She said to her friend,"Please speak truth."
  • Seema said to her husband,"Do not tell a lie."
  • She said to Arisha,"Please give me a glass of water."
  • Faizan said to Neha,"Have a glass of milk."
  • Captain said,"Follow me."
  • The gardener said to children,"Don't play hockey and football in the garden again."
  • Neelam said to her group lead,"Please grant me leave for three days and salary in advance. "
  • Dietician said to a patient,"Change your life style, eating habits and follow my diet plan."

Advance exercise No.9

  • Ali said to me,"Take care of yourself and write me off and on."
  • Policemen said to the rioters,"Finish your protest otherwise we shall have to enforce law."
  • Mother said to him,"Shut the main door as it is raining heavily outside."
  • He said to the boy,"Do not lose my leather jacket which I gave you in Murree."
  • Teachers said to the boys,"Be there at five because I like punctuality"."
  • The doctor wrote for patients in his pamphlet,"Clean your teeth twice a day regularly."
  • I said to him,"Please be quiet in the class' "
  • Mother said to you,"Please look at the door and feed the beggar."
  • Asim said to me,"Please wait for me here as long as I return."
  • Teacher said to me,"Make strictly sure at every cost that you have completed your classwork."
  • The invigilator instructed the students,"Please write fast, do not cheat and finish your paper on time."
  • The saint said to the poeple,"Please be cruel to the dishonest, be good to honest, be gentle to the children and be kind to the old."
  • The principal said to the student,"Complete your summer vacation task by 20th July otherwise you will have to pay fine."
  • My beautician said to me,"Wear your gold bracelet, earrings and nose ring with this make up and dress for the party."
  • Owner said to the servant,"Stop feeding your puppies from my kitchen and keep them inyour house."

Irritating Concepts of Grammar

  • Why we don't add s or es in verbs with singular subjects in Present Indefinite Tense
  • Why we use HAVE with I despite I is a singular subject
  • What is difference between He-She and That, It and This, These-Those and They
  • Strong and weak verbs
  • Finite and non-finite verbs

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COMMENTS

  1. Reported Speech Imperatives

    Learn how to report commands, requests, advice, and suggestions in indirect speech using different reporting verbs. See the structure, examples, and negative imperatives for reported speech.

  2. Imperative Reported Speech with Examples & Practise Exercises

    Imperative Reported Speech Exercise 2. Rewrite each sentence into reported speech. Grandma said to me, "Please fetch my glasses.". The librarian said to us, "Return the books in a month.". I said to the agent, "Please book two tickets for America.". Andrew said, "I'll have a chicken sandwich and some coffee.".

  3. Direct and Indirect Speech of Imperative Sentences

    Learn how to change imperative sentences from direct to indirect speech, using different verbs and expressions. See examples of commands, requests, and advice in both forms.

  4. Reported Speech

    How to use reported speech for imperatives, which are commands or requests. See examples of positive and negative imperatives with "ask/tell + to + verb" and "not to + verb".

  5. Reported Speech

    Reported speech is a term we use when telling someone what another person said. Learn the definition, rules, and examples of direct and indirect reported speech, as well as verb tense changes, modal verbs, and adverbs.

  6. REPORTED SPEECH

    Learn how to REPORT IMPERATIVES in REPORTED SPEECH - English grammar. Exercises ⬇️Can you report these imperative sentences?1) Go away!2) Put the books away ...

  7. Reported Speech

    Learn what reported speech is, how to use it and how to transform direct speech into reported speech with examples. Find out the rules for changing pronouns, adverbs, tenses and modal verbs in reported speech.

  8. Imperatives in Reported Speech

    Learn how to report imperatives in English with "ask/tell + to + verb" or "not to + verb". See examples of positive and negative imperatives in reported speech and how to use them naturally.

  9. Reported Speech

    Learn how to use reported speech with key the doctor say and other reporting verbs. See examples, exercises and explanations of tense changes, question forms and requests.

  10. Reporting imperatives

    Reporting imperatives. reporting verb + somebody + to-infinitive. When we report an imperative sentence or a request, we usually use a to -infinitive structure: Mother: Put away your toys, Johnny. Johnny's mother told him to put away his toys. Teacher: Everybody, please stand up. The teacher asked the class to stand up.

  11. Reported Speech Imperatives Exercise

    Reported Speech In Imperatives / Commands Video Exercise with answers and detailed explanations for students and teachers-- First we review reported speech i...

  12. Direct and Indirect speech

    Direct speech and Indirect speech (Reported speech)Learn how to use Imperative sentences in reported speech in this video.imperative sentences may be a reque...

  13. Indirect speech

    Indirect speech: She ordered me to stop talking. When we change a negative imperative from direct speech into indirect speech we must also use the verbs told, ordered or commanded and put the word not before the infinitive. For example: Direct speech: Don't close your books! Indirect speech: The teacher told the students not to close their books.

  14. Direct and Indirect Speech Imperative Sentences Rules & Examples

    The type of sentence which expresses order, request, command, advice, and warning is called imperative sentence. Imperative sentence is very much different from interrogative sentence which poses question. The conversion of imperative sentence depends on the mood of the sentence. Imperative sentence uses the second person 'you' as subject ...

  15. Reported speech: indirect speech

    Learn how to use indirect speech to report statements, questions and commands with different verbs and structures. See examples of backshift, wh-questions, to-infinitives and present simple reporting verbs.

  16. Indirect Speech for Imperative & Exclamatory Sentences

    Indirect Speech for Imperative Sentence: A sentence that expresses a request, advice, or order is called an imperative sentence. Examples: Please help me. (request) Respect the elders. (advice) Open the door. (order) The imperative sentence expresses a request, advice or order. Therefore, to convert them into indirect speech, some specific ...

  17. Reported speech

    Learn how to use reported speech to tell someone what someone said. Find out the rules for changing tenses, pronouns, adverbs and reporting verbs, and practice with worksheets and transcripts.

  18. Reported speech

    Reported speech exercises: reported commands and requests. Direct and indirect speech. Intermediate exercises esl.

  19. Reported Speech Imperatives Exercise

    Reported Speech Imperatives Exercise. Watch on. Convert the sentences below from direct to indirect speech (reported speech). 1. Mother to daughter: "Put on your shoes." 2. The teacher to me: "Open your notebook." 3.

  20. Reported Speech (Imperatives) Quiz

    Grammar. Quizzes. Reported Speech (Imperatives) Quiz. Try this quiz to test your understanding of reported speech of imperative sentences. Click here to review the lesson! Choose the best answers to complete the following sentences. Download quiz with answers in printable PDF.

  21. Reported speech

    Find various worksheets on reported speech, direct and indirect speech for esl. Practice reported statements, questions, commands, requests and more with pdf exercises and grammar notes.

  22. Five Steps to convert Direct to Indirect Speech

    In this video, we will learn the five-step formula to convert a direct speech to indirect speech where Reported Speech is in the imperative form.Five-Step Fo...

  23. Imperative Sentences with Practice Exercise- Phenomenal English

    Rules of Conversion:- To convert these sentences into indirect narration following instructions must be observed.Change said into ordered, requested, forbade, warned, threatened, urged, begged, implore or advised according to the sense of sentence.; Write 'to' in the place of inverted commas.; Change pronouns of reported speech according to rules stated in change of pronouns lesson.

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