Reported Imperative. Differences:
Speak in English! (Imperative).
I want you to speak in English (Reported Imperative).
Don't run in the classroom (Imperative).
I told them not to run in the classroom (Reported Imperative).
Reported Imperatives. Want someone to do something.
Reported Imperative sentences have a tricky structure. Remember this structure:
Want + Someone + To + Do + Something
For example: I want you to speak English.
First verb:
Besides want, the following verbs are also very common: tell, ask, need, would like.
I TOLD you to speak in English.
I'LL ASK him to take me home.
We NEED you to concentrate more.
Someone:
On this position, you must use an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, ...) or a noun.
She wants ME to work harder.
I told HER to try to understand my situation.
I asked A FRIEND OF MINE to get me a ticket for the concert.
Not to:
The second verb may be negative. We'll use NOT TO:
I'll tell them NOT TO be late.
I told my neighbours NOT TO make noise so late.
I'd like people NOT TO use so many rude words.
Want + Someone + To + Be + Done:
You can even use this structure for things.
I need THE ORDER to be delivered on Saturday morning.
He wants THE STAND not to be located near the stage.
We'd like THE FIRST COURSE to be served at 1 o'clock.
Exercise. Reported Imperatives.
Turn the following imperative sentences into reported imperatives: (Find the answers below.)
I told you: "Tell me about your problems".
I'd like __________ me about your problems.
I told her: "Introduce me to your friends".
I told __________ me to her friends.
I'll tell her: "Don't shout at me any more!".
I'll tell __________ at me anymore!
He told his neighbour: "Turn the volume down".
He asked __________ the volume down.
I'll tell Sarah: "Come to movies with me this weekend".
I'll ask __________ to the movies this weekend.
They told us: "Don't wear long hair in the restaurant kitchen".
They'd like __________ long hair in the restaurant kitchen.
I said: "All the tables must be clean before the customers arrive".
I need __________ clean before the customers arrive.
His parents told him: "Study Economics or Law".
His parents want __________ Economics or Law.
She said: "I'd like a light apartment near the coastline".
She'd like __________ light and near the coastline.
The board told us: "Do your best during this quarter".
The company needs __________ our best during this quarter.
I told them: "Don't be so loud! I'm reading a book".
I told __________ so loud because I was reading a book.
And now find the answers below.
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I told you: "Tell me about your problems".
I'd like you to tell me about your problems.
I told her: "Introduce me to your friends".
I told to introduce me to her friends.
I'll tell her: "Don't shout at me any more!".
I'll tell her not to shout at me anymore!
He told his neighbour: "Turn the volume down".
He asked his neighbour to turn the volume down.
I'll tell Sarah: "Come to movies with me this weekend".
I'll ask Sarah to come to the movies this weekend.
They told us: "Don't wear long hair in the restaurant kitchen".
They'd like us not to wear long hair in the restaurant kitchen.
I said: "All the tables must be clean before the customers arrive".
I need all the tabled to be clean before the customers arrive.
His parents told him: "Study Economics or Law".
His parents want him to study Economics or Law.
She said: "I'd like a light apartment near the coastline".
She'd like the apartment to be light and near the coastline.
The board told us: "Do your best during this quarter".
The company needs us to do our best during this quarter.
I told them: "Don't be so loud! I'm reading a book".
I told him not to be so loud because I was reading a book.
