Reported Speech for Advice, Commands, and Requests

Summary

This instructional video covers how to convert direct speech involving imperatives, requests, and advice into reported speech. It explains the role of infinitives in these conversions and details the specific changes required, such as removing quotation marks, subject pronouns, and applying the infinitive form of the verb. The video further explores how to negate requests, commands, and advice using 'not to' before the verb. Various reporting verbs like 'ask,' 'advise,' 'command,' and 'suggest' are introduced, with examples demonstrating their use in transforming direct speech into indirect speech. The content is geared toward helping learners master these grammatical structures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Infinitives are formed by combining 'to' with a verb, and they function as nouns (e.g., 'to swim').
• 😀 Imperatives, requests, and advice can be transformed into reported speech by changing the verb into an infinitive.
• 😀 In reported speech, negation of commands, requests, and advice involves adding 'not' before the infinitive (e.g., 'not to sit').
• 😀 When reporting requests, verbs like 'ask,' 'request,' and 'beg' are used with indirect objects (e.g., 'Mom asked me to do my homework').
• 😀 Reporting advice uses verbs like 'advise,' 'suggest,' and 'recommend,' with the verb in the infinitive (e.g., 'She advised me to walk every day').
• 😀 Commands in reported speech are formed by changing the verb to the infinitive and removing the subject (e.g., 'Dad told me to clean my room').
• 😀 Reporting verbs for commands include 'tell,' 'command,' and 'demand,' and they often require an object (e.g., 'She commanded me to clean my room').
• 😀 For reported requests, the subject and modal verb (e.g., 'could') are omitted, and the verb is changed into the infinitive (e.g., 'Mom asked me to help her').
• 😀 In reported speech, pronouns may need to change depending on the speaker (e.g., 'me' becomes 'her' in reported requests).
• 😀 A reporting verb in indirect speech is followed by an infinitive verb and often an indirect object, like 'Mom asked me to help her.'

Q & A

What is an infinitive, and how does it function in a sentence?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by 'to' (e.g., 'to swim'). It functions like a noun in a sentence, acting as the object of the verb. For example, in 'I like to swim,' 'to swim' is the object of the verb 'like.'

How does the transformation of direct speech to reported speech work for commands?

For commands in direct speech, the verb is changed into the infinitive in reported speech. For example, 'She said sit in your chair' becomes 'She commanded me to sit in my chair.'

What is the difference between reporting a request and a command in reported speech?

Both requests and commands involve changing the verb into the infinitive, but reporting verbs differ. For requests, verbs like 'ask,' 'request,' or 'beg' are used (e.g., 'Mom asked me to do my homework'), while for commands, verbs like 'tell' or 'command' are used (e.g., 'She commanded me to sit in her chair').

How do you report a negated command or request in indirect speech?

In negated commands or requests, 'not' is placed before the infinitive. For example, 'She said don't sit in my chair' becomes 'She commanded me not to sit in her chair.'

What is the general procedure for changing direct speech advice to reported speech?

When changing advice from direct speech to reported speech, the modal verb (like 'should') and the subject are removed, and the verb is changed into the infinitive. For example, 'Dad said you should clean your room' becomes 'Dad advised me to clean my room.'

What are some common reporting verbs for advice, and how are they used?

Common reporting verbs for advice include 'suggest,' 'recommend,' and 'advise.' For example, 'She recommended me to send her a copy' or 'She advised me to walk every day.' These verbs are followed by an infinitive verb in reported speech.

How do you change imperatives into reported speech, and what are the common reporting verbs?

When changing imperatives into reported speech, remove the subject, quotation marks, and change the verb to the infinitive. Common reporting verbs for imperatives include 'tell,' 'command,' and 'demand.' For example, 'Dad told me to clean my room.'

What changes are made when converting a request to reported speech?

To convert a request to reported speech, remove the subject and modal, eliminate quotation marks, and change the verb to the infinitive. For example, 'Mom said, 'Could you help me fold the clothes?'' becomes 'Mom asked me to help her fold the clothes.'

Why is it important to change possessive pronouns when converting direct speech to reported speech?

It's important to change possessive pronouns to reflect the perspective of the person being spoken to. For example, in 'Dad said, 'Clean your room,'' 'your' changes to 'my' in reported speech, as the speaker is now referring to the person being spoken to.

What are the key differences between reporting requests, advice, and commands in reported speech?

The key differences lie in the reporting verbs and the structure. For requests, verbs like 'ask' or 'request' are used; for advice, verbs like 'suggest,' 'recommend,' or 'advise' are used; and for commands, verbs like 'tell,' 'command,' or 'demand' are used. In each case, the verb is changed to the infinitive, and 'not' is used for negation.