Reported commands and requests
Definition
A reported command or request commonly uses a reporting verb followed by an object and to + base verb: tell someone to do, ask someone to do, order someone to do. Negative forms use not to + base verb.
Examples
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Maya asked me to wait outside.
Ask + object + to-infinitive reports a request.
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The guard told us to leave the building.
Tell + object + to-infinitive reports an instruction.
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The doctor advised Leo not to drive.
The negative infinitive reports advice against an action.
Direct command vs. reported command
"Close the door," Maya said.
The imperative reproduces the original words.
Maya told Leo to close the door.
The command is reported with tell + object + to-infinitive.
The reported form identifies the person addressed and changes the imperative into an infinitive construction.
The reporting verb determines the pattern and meaning
Ask normally reports a request, while tell, order, instruct, warn, advise, and remind add different meanings. Some verbs require a preposition or a different complement pattern.
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The officer warned us not to enter the area.
Warn presents the instruction as protection from danger or an undesirable consequence.
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Maya reminded Leo to bring his passport.
Remind reports prompting someone not to forget an action.
Common mistakes
Maya told to Leo to wait.
Maya told Leo to wait.
Tell takes the person directly as its object, without to before the person.
The guard asked us don't enter.
The guard asked us not to enter.
Use not to + base verb for a negative reported request.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly reports a request?
The standard pattern is ask + object + to-infinitive.Which negative reported command is correct?
Use tell + object + not to + base verb.Which sentence correctly uses remind?
Remind + object + to-infinitive reports prompting someone to remember an action.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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