In this section you will learn what reported questions, commands, requests and suggestions are.
What are reported questions?
Reported questions are questions that typically start with the verb ‘ask’ (also the verbs wonder and inquire).
Types of reported questions
1-When a question starts with a wh-question (what, who, where, when, why, how), the reported questions starts with it.
Examples of reported questions
Direct question: “What do you want to do?” Thomas asked me.
Reported question: Thomas asked me what I wanted to do.
2-When a question starts with an auxiliary verb (be, do, have), then the reported questions be starts with if or whether.
Examples of reported questions
Direct question: “Have you chosen the game?” she asked.
Reported question: She asked if / whether I had chosen the game.
3-When a question starts with a modal verb, then the reported questions be starts with if or whether.
Examples of reported questions
Direct question: “Can you help me with the bags?” Tony asked.
Reported question: Tony asked if / whether I could help him with the bags.
What are reported commands, requests and suggestions?
Reported commands, requests and suggestions involve reporting someone’s command or request.
What verbs can we use to report a command?
Reported commands usually begin with the verbs tell, order, demand, command + to infinitive.
Direct command: “Stop running.”
Reported command: The principal ordered to stop running.
What verbs can we use to report a request?
Reported requests usually begin with the verbs tell, ask, request + to infinitive.
Direct request: “Come with me, please,” Jan said to Abraham.
Reported request: Jan requested Abraham to come with her.
What verbs can we use to report a suggestion?
Reported suggestions usually begin with the verb suggest + to infinitive.
Direct suggestion: “You should arrive on time.”
Reported suggestion: She suggested me to arrive on time.
Read more about English grammar here.