examples of imperative sentences in reported speech

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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examples of imperative sentences in reported speech

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Reported Speech /

Imperative Reported Speech with Examples & Practise Exercises

Updated on
Jan 9, 2024

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:

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 .

Malvika Chawla

Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.

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Narration Change of Imperative Sentences

Back to: Direct and Indirect Speech (Narration)

Table of Contents

Introduction

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 although the subject remains silent in the sentence. This types of sentence begins with a verb. In case of requests the adverb ‘please’ is used before the verb or at the end of the sentence.

The sense of command, order, advise, request is implied in the reported clause of the sentence. We have to change the reporting verb in accordance with the mood of the sentence.
The verb of reported clause changes to infinitive. After omitting comma and inverted comma instead of using usual conjunction like ‘that’, ‘if’, ‘whether’, the word ‘to’ is used to connect reporting and reported clause.
In case of negative imperative sentence ‘do not’ in the direct speech changes to ‘not to’ in indirect speech. We can also use ‘forbade/prohibited’ followed by ‘to’.
In imperative sentence the reporting verb ‘said’, ‘said to’, ‘told’ changes to advised, command, requested, ordered, etc. depending on the mood of the sentence.

Reported Speech – Rules, Examples

| Candace Osmond

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

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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.

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

English Saga

Imperative Sentences- Direct & Indirect Speech

An Imperative Sentence is a type of Sentence that expresses some kind of command or an entreaty. It means that an Imperative sentence is about a command that is given by somebody to do something or not. The command may be about fulfilling a specific task or it may have some type of advice.

Leave my room at once.
Be very kind to animals.
Never tell a lie.
Do not spoil your clothes.

The Imperative Sentence has no subject, instead, it begins with a verb and ends with a full stop (.) at the end just like Assertive Sentence.

Imperative Sentence- Direct & Indirect Narration

To form the Indirect Narration of the Imperative Sentences, induced the words” requested, ordered, advised, forbade, asked, directed, urged, or suggested” in the Reporting Speech instead of “said to” according to the command. And then add “to” before the “first verb” of the Reported Speech to make the “infinitive” and make the sentence Simple Assertive Sentence.

The rest of the changes can be done by following the following rules:

General Rules for Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech
Pronouns Changing Rules
Other Words Changing Rules
Rule # 1, Rule # 2, and Rule # 3 of Changes in the Tenses

” That” is not used to make the Indirect Narration of the Imperative Sentences. Instead, “to” is used with “the first verb” of the Imperative Sentences to make the infinitive. You must visit for ExamLabs to get experties on different subject.

Imperative Sentences with Order Command

The sentences that start with “verbs”, have the Order Command in general as follows:

The manager ordered the peon to get out of his office.
She ordered us to keep quiet over there.
The policeman ordered the driver to show him his license.
The magistrate ordered the policeman to arrest that pickpocket.
She ordered her servant to polish her shoes at once.
The teacher ordered the peon to turn on the fan then.
The policeman ordered my neighbor to open the door.
The headmaster ordered the teacher to send those boys home to bring back their progress reports.
He ordered his servant to go and bring a taxi for him.
Father ordered him to make it a point to return home before sunset.
The policeman ordered me to show him my identity card.
The master ordered the peon to shut the gate and did not let anybody go out.
He ordered us to let the ladies pass first.
The superintendent ordered him to hand over his answer book to him.
He ordered me to leave for Quetta at once.
She ordered them to see her in her office the next day.
She ordered the servant to iron her clothes.
The magistrate ordered the policemen to fire at the mob.
He ordered me to go away from there.
I ordered him to go away at once.
The minister ordered the D.S.P to arrest all bad characters that night.
You ordered him to get out of your house then and never show you his face again.
I ordered him to polish my shoes immediately.

Imperative Sentences with Request Entreaty

Words like” please, kindly, etc.” show the request entreaty. So, these sentences may take the word “requested” in the Reporting Speech in place of “said to”.

He requested us to not make a noise in front of his house.
He requested my father to forgive him that time.
He requested his teacher respectfully to excuse him then.
She requested her to forgive her that time.
He requested I switch on the fan.
I requested the visitor to wait for a few minutes.
The old woman requested me to help her to cross that road.
They requested him to lend them a hundred rupee.
He requested I grant him leave for two days.
She requested him to help her in that case.
He requested her to send a telegram to his father the next day.
He requested her to forgive him.
You requested him to lend you his wristwatch for a day.
He requested us to accompany him to the airport.
She requested the policeman to help her to hire a taxi.
He requested we take him to the hospital.
Saulet requested me to lend him my pen.

Imperative Sentences with Advice

She advised her brother to work very hard from that day.
They advised him to take a bath very early in the morning.
She advised her children to pray five times a day.
They advised him to trust in God and did the right.
I advised him to respect those who respect him.
She advised me to pray five times a day.
You advised them to be quiet at home over there.
I advised them to play a fair game like true Muslims.
She advised him to respect his elders.
I advised him to be very careful in the future.
The old man advised him to pray to God for seeking His help and guidance.
She advised her sons to live to serve their country.
He advised us to treat our younger brothers and sisters with kindness.
He advised his friends to go on working as hard as they could.
She advised us to be very sincere to our friends.
She advised me to be on my guard against pickpockets in that town.
I advised him to help the poor.
He advised me to be honest in my dealings with everybody.
He advised us to be very kind to our servants.
He advised me to trust in God in that hour of my trial.
She advised him to get up very early in the morning and went out for a walk every day.

Imperative Sentences with Direction Command

He directed me to knock at that door again.
I directed them to go on doing their duty.
I directed the visitor to go away from there.
The postman directed me to sign that receipt.
The clerk directed the watchman to ring the bell in case of danger.
The teacher directed the students to keep quiet.
I directed my brother to show those strangers the way to the nears police station.

Imperative Sentences with Urging Command

He urged me to try my luck again.
The teacher urged us to try our best to win that match.

Imperative Sentences to Ask

We asked them to go away from that place.
The doctor asked me to show him my tongue.
He asked his brother to sit down on that chair.
You asked him to forgive and forget.
I asked the booking clerk to give me a second-class ticket for Peshawar.
The teacher asked the students to open their books on page 45.
He asked his elder brother to buy him that book that day.
He asked me to mind my own business.
I asked him to post that letter on his way home.
The S.T.E. asked the passengers to show him their tickets.

Imperative Sentences with Suggestion Entreaty

I suggested she consult a lady doctor.
He suggested his friend get that pen changed.
He suggested his wife take a dose after every four hours.
The doctor suggested the patient come to him the next day morning without having his breakfast.

Imperative Sentences with begging

The beggar begged me to give him food for his children.

Negative Imperative Sentences

The negative Imperative Sentence is usually about the forbidding command. So, “said to” of the Reporting Speech may be replaced by “forbade”.

Mother forbade me to tell a lie.
I forbade him to betray his friends.
She forbade her to tell a lie.
He forbade us to waste his time.
He forbade me to mix with bad boys.
You forbade her to pluck flowers from the garden.
The doctor forbade us to take more than two cups of tea a day.
The mother forbade the newcomer to sit there.
The policeman forbade the driver to show him his license.
You forbade the hawker to give you a short measure.
The Principal forbade him to copy.
The watchmaker forbade the customer to try to threaten him.
He forbade his companion to enter that room.
She forbade her sister to burn the midnight oil.
Mother forbade us to tell a lie.
Father forbade us to play with those boys.
She forbade me to play marbles.
She forbade him to waste her time.
You forbade them to go to the pictures.
You forbade them to quarrel with their neighbors.
He forbade them to call him names.
I forbade my brother to depend on guess papers for success in the examination.
He forbade me to cheat anybody.
He forbade the peon to let anybody enter his office before 11 A.M.
She forbade her son to deceive anybody.
The doctor forbade the patient to eat sweets.
The teacher forbade the boys to copy in the examination hall.

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