Commands: changing commands to reported speech

Command Clauses

Changing commands to reported speech

A Statement Verb Followed by a Command

QUOTED COMMAND	REPORTED COMMAND
Words used for making statements such as say and tell can be followed by quoted speech with content having the meaning of ordering someone to do something.	In reported speech, say and tell (when giving an order) is followed by an infinitive or should.
The doctor said, "Get some rest."	The doctor said to get some rest.
	The doctor said (that) I should get some rest.
	The doctor told me to get some rest.
The doctor said, "Don't smoke."	The doctor said not to smoke.
	The doctor said (that) I shouldn't smoke.
	The doctor told me not to smoke.
The doctor said, "Call me when you get here."	The doctor said to call him when I got there.

Other words for making statements: Synonyms for "Said".
Also see: Infinitive Commands

Say & Tell Followed by an Infinitive

CHANGES		INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	EMBEDDED COMMAND
1	Remove comma and quotes	The doctor said	"Get some rest."
2	Optionally, change said to told me	The doctor told me	Get some rest.
3	Change the verb to an infinitive ==> to + verb	The doctor told me	to get some rest
		The doctor said / told me	to get some rest.

Say & Tell Followed by a Negative + Infinitive

CHANGES		INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	EMBEDDED COMMAND
1	Remove comma and quotes	The doctor said	"Don't smoke."
2	If using "tell" add a pronoun ==> told me	The doctor told me	Don't smoke.
3	Change the negative verb to a negative infinitive ==> not to + verb	The doctor told me	not to smoke
		The doctor said / told me	not to smoke.

Say & Tell Followed by Should

CHANGES		INDEPENDENT CLAUSE	EMBEDDED COMMAND
1	Remove comma and quotes	The doctor said,	"Get some rest."
2	Optionally, add a relative pronoun: that	The doctor said that	(you) get some rest
3	Add a pronoun: I, we or he, she, they Add modal: should	The doctor said that	I get some rest.
4	Change the verb: should + verb	The doctor said that	I should get some rest.
		The doctor said that	I should get some rest.

Other Verbs Followed by a Command

That-clause + subjunctive verb

A Statement Verb vs. a Command Verb Followed by a Clause

STATEMENT VERB	COMMAND VERB
After verbs with the meaning of making a statement, a should phrasing is used.	After verbs with the meaning of commanding someone to do something, a that-clause with a subjunctive verb is used. (This phrasing is commonly used contexts of authority.)
A friend said that Lindsay should get therapy.	A friend suggested that Lindsay get therapy.
The judge ruled that Lindsay should go into rehabilitation.	The judge ordered that Lindsay go into rehabilitation.
The doctor stated that she should stop self-medicating. (taking unprescribed drugs)	The doctor advised that she stop self-medicating.

The base form of the verb is used (no singular or plural agreement).
Other words for making statements Synonyms for "Said".

Subjunctive Verb Form (base verb)

NUMBER	1ST PERSON	2ND PERSON	3RD PERSON
SINGULAR	The doctor advised that I get some rest. The doctor advised that I be careful.	The doctor advised that you get some rest. The doctor advised that you be careful.	The doctor advised that she / he get some rest. The doctor advised that she / he be careful.
PLURAL	The doctor advised that we get some rest. The doctor advised that we be careful.	The doctor advised that you (all) get some rest. The doctor advised that you (all) be careful.	The doctor advised that they get some rest. The doctor advised that they be careful.

Verbs Followed by a That-Clause with a Subjunctive Verb

COMMAND VERBS
Verbs with the meaning of commanding someone to do something or imposing one's will on someone are followed by a that-clause with a subjunctive verb. (This phrasing is used in more formal contexts and is commonly used to report a demand by a person with authority.)
advise We advised that he leave.	desire He desire that he succeeds.	recommend We recommend that he stop.
ask We asked that they give us a chance.	forbid She forbid that he stay out late.	request We request that you work there.
beg He begged that they leave him alone.	insist I insisted that he come early.	require We require that he complete it.
command He commanded that they go.	order You ordered that he clean it up.	suggest We suggest that he prepare well.
demand We demanded that he stand up.	propose We proposed that they come too.	urge We urged that the Red Cross proceed.

Also see infinitives used after these verbs: Infinitive Commands

Common Mistake

ERROR	FIXES
Jack shouted to let's go.	Jack shouted, "Let's go!" (Let us go.) Jack shouted at us to go. (less formal; less polite) Jack shouted that we should go. (more formal)

Practice 1

Brothers

Quoted Commands to Infinitive Phrases

Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
1.	Jack shouted "Get your backpack and lunch!" Jack told his brother backpack and lunch!"
2.	Jack said "Don't make me late again." Jack told his brother late again."
3.	Jack said to his brother, "Hurry up!" Jack told his brother
4.	His brother said, "Leave me alone!" His brother told him
5.	"OK, then", Jack said, "Walk alone!" Jack told his brother .
6.	Jack's mother said, "Be kind to your brother." Jack's mother said that .
7.	Jack to his brother, "Please be ready on time every morning." Jack said that he on time every morning."
8.	Jack's brother said, "Warn me ten minutes before you leave." His brother told
9.	Jack said, "Set your alarm before you go to bed." Jack told
10.	Jack said, "Use two clocks if you need to. Jack said to him
11.	Jack's brother said, "Go ahead without me." Jack's brother told him
12.	"I will." Jack said, "Don't forget your head!" Jack told him
	Their mother closed the door gently after they both left.

Practice 2

Quoted Commands to That-clauses

Change the quoted command to a that-clause.

Decide if the verb requires a that-clause with a subjunctive verb.
Select your response from the list.
Then, checks your answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	ANSWER
13.	The President told the oil company, "Stop the oil spill." The Present ordered the oil spill.
14.	The Environmental Protection agency issued a requirement: "Use less toxic chemicals." The Environmental Protection agency required less toxic chemicals." toxic (adj) – harmful or poisonous
15.	The fishermen told the workers, "Keep the oil away from our fishing areas." The fisherment begged the oil offshore and away from their fishing areas.
16.	The fishermen said, "We hope that the oil will stay far offshore." The fisherment hoped
17.	Scientists proposed to the company, "Use explosives to close the oil well." Scientists proposed to close the oil well.
18.	The oil company says, "Be patient". The oil company suggests
19.	The company told us, "We understand your frustration." The company declared our frustration.
20.	A crowd shouted, "No more offshore oil drilling!" A crowded demanded no more offshore drilling.
21.	Scientists say, "This is a huge distaster." Scientists claim a huge disaster.
22.	The government announced, "The oil company is responsible for the clean-up costs." The government insisted the clean-up costs.

Related practice: Imposition of Will: Changing an Infinitive Phrase to a That-clause

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PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Noun Clauses