Direct to Indirect Speech
 Commands and Requests


In this lesson i will tell you the steps that one should follow to change commands or requests from direct speech to indirect speech
What is a command
 A command is an order. We use it to ask others to do what we want in bossy way
 Example: Stop talking now
 الأمر
What uis a request
 A request is a way of asking others to do what we want in a nice and friendly way
 Pass me the jam please
 الطلب
What is direct / quoted speech
 Direct speech is the exact words that someone said; the words are put between quotation marks "---" above the line
 Example: "Read the text," said the teacher
What is indirect / reported speech
 Reported speech is when we report what someone said. We do not use the exact words
 Example: The teacher told us to read the text
How to change commands and requests from direct to indirect speech
Take the example: "Come to home early," said Sally to Tom
Step 1: Change the reporting verb say to tell, ask, order, or command
 Come to home early," said Sally to Tom"
 Sally told
Step 2: Add a suitable object, that is, noun or pronoun, to indicate the addressed person
 Come to home early," said Sally to Tom"
 Sally told Tom
Step 3: Change the verb into a complete infinitive (to + base form of the verb)to report an affirmative command or request
 Come to home early," said Sally to Tom"
 Sally told Tom to come to home early
Step 4: If you are reporting a negative command or request, change the verb to negative affirmative (not + to + base form of verb) then complete the sentence
 Don't come home early," said Sally to Tom"
 Sally told Tom not to come home early
Step 5: Change the pronouns, expressions of time and place and demonstratives (this, these). See the table

More Examples

Eat your Food," said Mummy"
 Mummy told me to eat my food
Stand up," said Mr. White"
 Mr. White ordered her to stand up
Please stand up," said Mr. White"
 Mr. White asked her to stand up
Don't talk," said the teacher"
 The teacher ordered us not to talk
Please drive more slowly," said Mark to the taxi driver"
 Mark asked the taxi driver to drive more slowly
Go to town early tomorrow," said my sister"
 My sister told me to go to town early the next day
Practice for you to do

1. Listen to me," said Peter"

2. Don't make a noise," said Lina"
3. Please answer all the questions," said Phillip"
4. Go and look at yourself in the mirror," said Angela to Greg"
5. Take a deep breath," said the doctor to the patient"
I hope you like the lesson and if you have any questions I'm ready to answer them. The change from direct to indirect speech with statements and questions will be posted in the coming weeks