Changes in Reporting verb in case of Imperative sentences
We make any change in the reporting verb and in the sentence structure of direct speech depending on the kind of sentence used under inverted commas.
There may be five kinds of sentences in the inverted commas:
- Assertive
- Interrogative
- Imperative
- Exclamatory
- Optative
In this article, we will cover the transformation in case of Imperative sentences.
Changing the Reporting verb in Imperative sentences
Concept 1
He said to me, “do it”.
He ordered me to do it.
He said to me, “don’t laugh at others”.
He told me not to laugh at others.
He said to me, “work hard to succeed in life”.
He advised me to work hard to succeed in life.
Concept 2
In case of imperative sentence, used for giving positive order, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say/said….., “$V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun + ………”.
Indirect Speech pattern 1: Subject + Order + $V_1$ + ing + Noun/Pronoun ….
(In case of no reporting object)
She said, “get me some water”
She ordered getting her some water.
Indirect Speech pattern 2: Subject + Order + Object + to + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ……
(In case of reporting object)
Geetanjali said to me, “Keep your mouth shut.”
Geetanjali ordered me to keep my mouth shut.
Concept 3
In case of imperative sentence, used for giving negative order, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say ….., “don’t/never + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ……”
Aanya said to Alka, “don’t praise me.”
Indirect Speech pattern 1: Subject + Order + (Object) + not / never + to + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ….
Aanya ordered Alka not to praise her.
Indirect Speech pattern 2: Subject + prevent/prohibit + Object + from + $V_1$ + ing …….
Aanya prohibited/prevented Alka from praising her.
Concept 4
In case of imperative sentence, used for positive request, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say/said…., “Please/Kindly + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun …..
Indirect Speech pattern 1: Subject + request + $V_1$ + ing + Noun/Pronoun + ………………
(in case of no reporting object)
Aanya said, “Kindly call me at night”
Aanya requested calling her at night.
Indirect Speech pattern 2: Subject + request + Object + to + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ……………
(in case of reporting object)
Aanya said to me, “Please meet me tomorrow in front of the office.”
Aanya requested me to meet her the next day in front of the office.
Concept 5
In case of imperative sentence, used for negative request, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say……, “Please/Kindly, don’t/never + $V_1$ …
Indirect Speech pattern: Subject + request + (Object) + not/never + to + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun …
Aanya said to Meenakshi, “Please don’t talk to my friends”.
Aanya requested Meenakshi not to talk to her friends.
Concept 6
In case of imperative sentence, used for giving positive advice, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say / said … ,“$V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ………”.
Indirect Speech pattern 1: Subject + advise /advised + $V_1$ + ing + Noun/Pronoun ………. (In case of no reporting object)
Mr. Dwight said, “work hard to go places in your life.”
Mr. Dwight advised working hard to go places in my life.
Indirect Speech pattern 2: Subject + advise … + Object + to + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ………. (In case of reporting object)
He said to me, “take this medicine twice a day”.
He advised me to take that medicine twice a day.
Concept 7
In case of imperative sentence, used for giving negative advice, we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say ….., “Don’t/Never + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun ………”
Indirect Speech pattern: Subject + advise + (Object) + not/never + to + $V_1$ ……..
Ross said to her, “don’t drink too much.”
Ross advised her not to drink too much.
Concept 8
In case of imperative sentence, used for giving suggestion/proposal (using let’s), we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say/said….., “let’s + $V_1$ + Noun/Pronoun……………”
Indirect Speech pattern 1: Subject + suggest/propose + $V_1$ + ing …….
(in case of no reporting object)
Jim said, “Let’s play baseball”.
Jim suggested playing baseball.
Indirect Speech pattern 2: Subject + suggest/ propose + to + Object + that + we/they + should + $V_1$ ……
(In case of reporting object)
Joey said to Penny, “Let’s play fireball”.
Joey suggested to Penny that they should play fireball.
I said to my friends, “let’s go for a walk.”
I suggested to my friends that we should go for a walk.
Concept 9
In case of imperative sentence, used for stating a supposition (using let), we use the following structure:
Direct speech: Subject + say/said ……, “let + Noun/Pronoun 1 + be + Noun 2…….
Indirect Speech: Subject + suppose + Noun/Pronoun 1 + to be + Noun 2 ………
Mr. Peterson said, “let this be a triangle.”
Mr. Peterson supposed that to be a triangle”. (we will use that, not this)
Extra Books and Tools
Though the matter on our website is in-depth and comprehensive enough for the needs of most of the aptitude exams, but it may also feel daunting for the same reasons. Moreover, some learners prefer books over websites. So, if you are a beginner level English learner, and prefer books, you may explore the following English Grammar books too.
1. Wren & Martin - This book has been around for long and is still considered one of the best. Though many concepts have not been dealt with in much depth here, but beginners may find it a breeze to read. Once you are done with it, the content on our website will work as a rich add-on. If you are getting this book, make sure you get the key to its exercises too.
Link for Indian readers: Wren and Martin
2. More advanced learners may refer to the following books. However, buy them only if you must. Most of your English Grammar learning needs will easily be met by our website.
Essential English Grammar by Raymond Murphy
Link for Indian readers: Essential English Grammar
Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy
Link for Indian readers: Intermediate English Grammar
Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings
Link for Indian readers: Advanced English Grammar
So much so for Englsh Grammar. But what about Comprehension skills and Vocabulary?
We strongly believe that Comprehension skills and Vocabulary are more a matter of practice. The more you read, the better you will become in them. In fact, this will help you in Grammar too. Afterall Grammar rules are just in the nature of temporary scaffholding - the goal is to read, write and speak a language without consciously remembering even a single Grammar rule.
So, we suggest you to read vividly. Ideally, carry some tool with you that you may refer to learn the meaning of any word that is new to you. There are many ways you may go about it.
* The old method: Carry a good dictionary with you. But who does?
* Download a Thesauraus app on your mobile or just google it. Better, but we still need to stop reading, open app, type and then search. Boring!
The methods mentioned above kill the joy of reading. Who wants to stop reading in the midst of an interesting plot and look for the meaning of a word? And if you are a lazy soul like me, oh man! No chance!
That's why I prefer to read on gadgets like Kindle. We may just tap on any word and see its meaning there and then. It's also not taxing on the eyes.
If you guys know about any more such books, gadgets and technologies that are awesome and may help English learners, do share 😇