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Reported Speech: Commands and Requests | Class 10

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Grammar

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests, Class 10

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

To report a command or request, replace said with a verb that shows its force (ordered, told, commanded, requested, asked, begged, advised), drop the quotation marks and 'please', and join the sentence with a to-infinitive. A negative becomes not to. Example: The teacher said to us, 'Open your books' becomes The teacher told us to open our books.

Notice each part changes: said to becomes a force verb, the command verb becomes to + verb, and your becomes our; a negative uses not to.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Reported Speech: Commands and Requests

A command, request, piece of advice or prohibition is an imperative sentence. It has no subject in direct speech: Open the door. In reported speech, three things change.

1. The reporting verb shows the speaker's purpose. Said to is replaced by a verb that matches the force: ordered, commanded, told (a plain instruction), requested, asked, begged, pleaded (a polite or urgent request), advised, urged, warned (advice or warning), forbade (a prohibition).

2. The sentence joins with a to-infinitive. No that is used. The imperative verb itself takes no tense; it becomes to + base verb: 'Close the window' becomes told me to close the window. However, tenses inside any subordinate clause are backshifted (before you leave became before we left).

3. A negative imperative uses not to. 'Do not shout' becomes told them not to shout. Forbade can also be used with an object and to-infinitive: forbade them to shout.

Other changes. Remove please and use requested, asked or begged instead. Change pronouns as in other reported speech (my to his or her, your to my, his or their). Change time and place words only when the situation has changed (tomorrow to the next day, here to there, now to then). If the object is not named, use the listener from the reporting clause; if none, add an object suitably, for example 'Please sit down,' said the teacher becomes The teacher requested us to sit down.

Special forms.

  • Let us + verb (a suggestion): 'Let us go for a walk,' said Raj. → Raj suggested that they should go for a walk. (or proposed going for a walk).
  • Let + a third person (permission): 'Let him enter,' said the officer. → The officer ordered that he should be allowed to enter.
  • Request made as a question: 'Will you please help me?' said Rita. → Rita requested me to help her. (not asked if I would; the speaker is requesting.)

Board focus. In the Grammar section of the CBSE paper, reported speech is often tested as a dialogue to be completed. Each blank usually tests a verb choice, the to-infinitive or a pronoun change.

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests: rules and format

  1. 1

    Choose a reporting verb that matches the force: order, command, tell, request, ask, beg, advise, warn, forbid

    The captain said to the team, "Practise daily." → The captain advised the team to practise daily.

    Use told for a plain instruction if unsure.

  2. 2

    Positive imperative → to + base verb; no that

    "Open the window," he said to me. → He told me to open the window.

    The listener is the object of the reporting verb.

  3. 3

    Negative imperative → not to + base verb

    "Do not touch the wires," the electrician said to us. → The electrician warned us not to touch the wires.

    Do not write 'to not touch'.

  4. 4

    Remove please and use requested, asked or begged

    "Please lend me your pen," said Anu to Sam. → Anu requested Sam to lend her his pen.

    Never keep please in reported speech.

  5. 5

    Pronouns change with the point of view

    "Show your ticket," the conductor said to me. → The conductor ordered me to show my ticket.

    your becomes my because the listener is me.

  6. 6

    Let us → suggested that we should / proposed; Let him or her → ordered that he or she should be allowed

    "Let us start early," said Dev. → Dev suggested that they should start early.

    Do not use to-infinitive with suggest.

  7. 7

    Time and place words change only if the time or place has changed

    "Come here tomorrow," he told me. → He told me to go there the next day.

    Check the tense of the reporting verb and the situation.

  8. 8

    If the listener is not named, the object is supplied from the dialogue

    "Be quiet," said the teacher. → The teacher ordered the class to be quiet.

    Use the class, them, us or him according to the context.

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests: key facts

Pattern for commands and requests
  • Subject
  • reporting verb
  • object
  • to + base verb
  • rest of the sentence
Example: She | asked | me | to switch off | the fan.
Pattern for negatives
  • Subject
  • reporting verb
  • object
  • not to + base verb
  • rest of the sentence
Example: He | warned | them | not to run | on the wet floor.
Choosing the reporting verb
Order, commandauthority
Request, begpoliteness
Advise, urgesuggestion
Warndanger
Forbidprohibition
The verb carries the speaker's attitude.
What disappears
  • Quotation marks
  • said to
  • please
  • exclamation marks
  • Do (in Do not)
Check that none remains in the report.

How to answer Reported Speech: Commands and Requests questions

Use this routine for any command or request in reported speech.

  1. 1Identify the type: order, request, advice, warning or prohibition.
  2. 2Choose a reporting verb to match (ordered, requested, advised, warned, forbade).
  3. 3Name the listener as the object (me, us, him, them, or the noun).
  4. 4Convert the imperative to to + base verb, or not to + base verb if negative.
  5. 5Change pronouns, time words and place words as needed and delete please.
  6. 6Reread: no that, no quotation marks, and no tense on the imperative verb (but backshift the tense in any subordinate clause, such as before you leave → before we left).

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Passing on a message

Suppose your mother tells you in the morning, 'Please buy bread on your way home.' In the evening, your brother asks what she said, and you reply in reported speech.

Report her words to your brother.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Remove please and choose requested or asked.
  2. Pronoun: your becomes my, and the listener is me.
  3. Use to + base verb: to buy bread.

Answer: Mother asked me to buy bread on my way home.

Memory hook: Verb of force, listener, to + verb.

Tricks to remember Reported Speech: Commands and Requests

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • V-L-T

    Verb of force, Listener, To + base verb.

    Use it when: The three parts of every command report.

  • No that, no tense

    That and backshift belong to statements, not commands.

    Use it when: To avoid the most common error.

  • Please goes

    Please disappears; requested or asked takes its place.

    Use it when: For polite requests.

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: A simple command · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

Report: The teacher said to the students, "Submit your assignments tomorrow."

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Command: use told or ordered.
  2. Your becomes their.
  3. Tomorrow becomes the next day.

Answer: The teacher ordered the students to submit their assignments the next day.

Example 2: Please removed · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

Report: "Please help me with this sum," said Isha to her brother.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Please means a request: requested or asked.
  2. Me becomes her.

Answer: Isha requested her brother to help her with that sum.

Example 3: Negative command · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

Report: The guard said to the visitors, "Do not park near the gate."

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Prohibition or warning: told or forbade.
  2. Do not becomes not to.

Answer: The guard told the visitors not to park near the gate.

Example 4: Two commands in one · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Report: "Switch off the lights and lock the door before you leave," the warden said to us.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both are commands: ordered us.
  2. Repeat to for the second verb or use and.
  3. You becomes we.

Answer: The warden ordered us to switch off the lights and lock the door before we left.

Example 5: Suggestion with let us · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Report: "Let us visit the science museum next Sunday," said Kabir.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Let us is a suggestion: suggested that.
  2. Use should + base verb.
  3. Next Sunday becomes the following Sunday.

Answer: Kabir suggested that they should visit the science museum the following Sunday.

Example 6: Request in question form · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Report: "Will you please explain this poem again?" said Meera to the teacher.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It is a polite request, not a real question.
  2. Use requested with the to-infinitive.
  3. This becomes that.

Answer: Meera requested the teacher to explain that poem again.

Example 7: Choose the right verb · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

A mother tells her son, "Always cross the road at the zebra crossing." Which reporting verb best fits when you report it? Give the report.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It is advice about safety: advised.
  2. Always cross becomes to always cross (to + base verb).
  3. Keep always.

Answer: The mother advised her son to always cross the road at the zebra crossing.

Example 8: Complete the dialogue report · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

Complete the report. Dialogue: Father: "Don't leave your bicycle outside, Ravi. Bring it in and lock it." Ravi: "Yes, Father."
Father (i) ______ Ravi (ii) ______ his bicycle outside and (iii) ______ it in and lock it. Ravi (iv) ______.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) a verb of advice or order: told or advised.
  2. (ii) negative command: not to leave.
  3. (iii) positive command joined by and: to bring.
  4. (iv) Ravi agreed or said yes.

Answer: (i) advised or told (ii) not to leave (iii) to bring (iv) agreed or replied that he would.

Example 9: Mixed dialogue · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

Report the dialogue in two sentences: Coach: "Run two rounds of the ground, Tara. Don't stop in the middle." Tara: "Please give me some water first, Coach."

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Coach's lines: ordered or told Tara; run becomes to run; negative not to stop.
  2. Tara's line: requested the coach to give her some water first.
  3. Check pronouns and the removal of please.

Answer: The coach ordered Tara to run two rounds of the ground and not to stop in the middle. Tara requested the coach to give her some water first.

Example 10: Error correction · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Find the error and correct it: The doctor advised him that he should not to eat oily food.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 'Should not to' is wrong because to cannot follow should.
  2. For a command or advice, the neat form is advised him not to eat.

Answer: The doctor advised him not to eat oily food.

Where students lose marks in Reported Speech: Commands and Requests

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Using that with a command

    That is for statements only.

    Wrong working

    He told me that open the door.

    Right working

    He told me to open the door.

    Do this: Use to + base verb.

    Usually costs: 1 mark per item.

  • Mistake: Keeping please

    Please must be replaced by a verb of request.

    Wrong working

    She said to me please to wait.

    Right working

    She requested me to wait.

    Do this: Replace with requested, asked or begged.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Wrong negative form

    The negative is not to.

    Wrong working

    He told us to not run.

    Right working

    He told us not to run.

    Do this: Put not before to.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Missing pronoun change

    Your must follow the listener.

    Wrong working

    The teacher ordered me to show your notebook.

    Right working

    The teacher ordered me to show my notebook.

    Do this: Check each pronoun.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Underline the imperative verb in the dialogue and choose a matching reporting verb.
  • Write to + base verb; never use that for commands.
  • Delete please and use requested or asked.
  • Write not to for negatives.
  • Check pronouns and time words before you finish.

Practice questions on Reported Speech: Commands and Requests

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

    Report: The principal said to the girls, "Assemble in the hall at nine."

    Hint

    Order, to-infinitive.

    Answer

    The principal ordered the girls to assemble in the hall at nine.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

    Report: "Please close the window," said Naina to me.

    Hint

    Request; remove please.

    Answer

    Naina requested me to close the window.

  3. Q3 · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

    Report: The doctor said to the patient, "Do not skip your medicines."

    Hint

    Advice; not to.

    Answer

    The doctor advised the patient not to skip his medicines.

  4. Q4 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Report: "Let us plant some saplings in the school garden," said the monitor.

    Hint

    Suggestion, should.

    Answer

    The monitor suggested that they should plant some saplings in the school garden.

  5. Q5 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Report: The officer said to the constable, "Bring the witness to my office and keep him safe."

    Hint

    Two commands, one object.

    Answer

    The officer ordered the constable to bring the witness to his office and keep him safe.

  6. Q6 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Report: "Would you kindly show me the way to the station?" said the tourist to a boy.

    Hint

    Polite request in question form.

    Answer

    The tourist requested a boy to show him the way to the station.

  7. Q7 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Report: Mother: "Don't forget your lunch, Rohan." Rohan: "Please remind me before I leave." Complete: Mother (i) ______ Rohan (ii) ______ his lunch. Rohan (iii) ______ her (iv) ______ him before he left.

    Hint

    Command then request.

    Answer

    (i) told or reminded (ii) not to forget (iii) requested or asked (iv) to remind

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Report: The captain said, "Don't give up, boys. Play with discipline and keep your spirits high."

    Hint

    Address the boys; two positive commands.

    Answer

    The captain urged the boys not to give up and to play with discipline and keep their spirits high.

  9. Q9 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Rewrite the dialogue as a short report in three sentences: Teacher: "Open page 40, Ali. Read the first stanza aloud." Ali: "Sir, please allow me to read from my seat." Teacher: "All right, but speak loudly."

    Hint

    Two orders, a request, then permission with advice.

    Answer

    The teacher told Ali to open page 40 and read the first stanza aloud. Ali requested the teacher to allow him to read from his seat. The teacher agreed but told him to speak loudly.

  10. Q10 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    A student writes: "The doctor told me that I should not to drink cold water." Find the error in the sentence and write the correct form.

    Hint

    That clause with an imperative; to-infinitive.

    Answer

    Error: 'to' cannot follow 'should not' (should not to drink). Advice or a command is best reported with a to-infinitive. Correct: The doctor advised me not to drink cold water.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Which joining word is used for commands and requests?Show answer

    To (a to-infinitive); never that.

  2. 2.How is Do not shout reported?Show answer

    Not to shout, as in told them not to shout.

  3. 3.What replaces please in reported speech?Show answer

    A verb of request such as requested, asked or begged.

  4. 4.Which reporting verb suits a safety suggestion?Show answer

    Advised.

  5. 5.How do we report Let us go?Show answer

    Suggested that they should go.

  6. 6.Does the tense change in commands?Show answer

    No, because a to-infinitive is used.

Reported Speech: Commands and Requests: frequently asked questions

How do I report a command in Class 10?

Use told or ordered, add the listener, and write to + base verb; for a negative, write not to.

Is said to changed to told?

Yes, or to a stronger verb that shows the force, such as ordered or requested.

How is a request in question form reported?

A polite request such as Will you please help me? is reported with requested or asked and a to-infinitive.

Where does this appear in the CBSE paper?

In the Grammar section of the CBSE paper, reported speech is often tested as a dialogue to be completed.