Reported Commands, Requests, and Advice: Tell, Ask, Order, and Advise

Reported speech is not limited to said that and asked whether. In real communication we often report what somebody instructed, requested, warned, reminded, or advised another person to do.

The central pattern

A very common structure is reporting verb + person + to-infinitive. The reporting verb tells us the social function of the original words.

• “Please wait outside.” → She asked us to wait outside.
• “Send the form today.” → He told me to send the form that day.
• “Apply early.” → My tutor advised me to apply early.

Negative instructions

Use not to + verb for negative commands and requests.

• “Don’t open the file.” → She told me not to open the file.
• “Please don’t be late.” → He asked us not to be late.

Choose a precise reporting verb

Advanced control means selecting a verb that preserves the original force. Ask is polite; tell is neutral/direct; order is authoritative; warn signals danger; remind refers to something already expected; advise recommends.

• The guard warned us not to enter.
• She reminded me to bring my ID.
• The doctor advised him to rest.

Time and place can shift

As in other reported speech, words such as today, tomorrow, here may change when the reporting context changes.

• “Come here tomorrow.” → She told me to go there the next day.

Do not report politeness mechanically

The word please usually disappears because the reporting verb ask already carries the request function. Preserve meaning rather than copying every surface word.

• “Please call me.” → She asked me to call her.

Common mistakes to avoid

• She said me to wait → She told me to wait.
• He suggested me to rest → He suggested that I rest / He suggested resting.

Quick practice

1. Report: “Don’t touch the equipment.”
2. Report politely: “Please send me the invoice.”
3. Choose a precise verb for advice from a doctor.

Suggested answers: Possible: She told/warned us not to touch the equipment. / He asked me to send him the invoice. / advise.

Key takeaway

When reporting instructions, preserve the communicative force. The reporting verb should tell the reader whether the original speaker requested, ordered, warned, reminded, or advised.