Reporting promises, orders, requests etc Promises, orders, requests, advice and suggestions are reported with infinitives.. We usually use a reporting verb like promise, command, order,
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Reporting promises, orders, requests etc
Promises, orders, requests, advice and suggestions are reported with infinitives We
usually use a reporting verb like promise, command, order, agree, tell, offer, advice
or suggest.
Direct speech: ?Where do you live?' the stranger asked
Indirect speech: The stranger enquired where I lived.
Direct speech: ?Call the first witness,' said the judge
Indirect speech: The judge ordered them to call the first witness.
Direct speech: ?Be careful,' I told him
Indirect speech: I told him to be careful.
Direct speech: ?Be quiet and listen to my words,' he said
Indirect speech: He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.
Direct speech: I told him, ?Think again.'
Indirect speech: I advised him to think again.
Grammar notes
We do not use infinitive structures after suggest and say Instead, we use
that-clauses.
Direct speech: I told him, ?Consult a doctor.'
Indirect speech: I suggested that he should consult a doctor (NOT I suggested him
to consult a doctor.)
Suggest can also be followed by an ?ing form.
I suggested consulting a doctor.
Direct speech: The policeman said, ?You must not park here.'
Indirect speech: The policeman said that I must not park there.