Imperative Reported Speech with Examples & Practise Exercises

Imperative Reported Speech: When studying English grammar, the candidate needs to have all the knowledge about imperative reported speech. By doing so, they will be able to construct sentences in a much better way. Imperative sentences in reported speech are used to give commands. In this blog, you will read about imperative reported speech which will help you learn about this concept. 

What is an Imperative Sentence?

An imperative sentence is a type of sentence that gives a command, instruction, request, or advice. It is used to tell someone to do something or to express a desire for action. Imperative sentences can be direct or polite and often omit the subject, as the subject is usually understood to be “you.”

Also Read: Imperative Sentence Passive Voice

What is Imperative Reported Speech?

Imperative in reported speech is a little bit different from regular sentences. They are generally used when one gives orders and we can also use them to make requests. 

In imperatives, we use “ask/tell somebody to do something.”

Reported speech imperatives differ in structure from other reported speech sentences. Some imperatives including examples are given here:  

• Commands: Keep low!
• Requests: Please close the gate
• Advice: Move and lie down
• Suggestions: Take the pill the next day instead

Below given examples below show how imperative is used in reported speech.

Imperative: “Come here.”

Reported Speech: She told me to come here.

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice: Rules, Examples & Exercise

Steps to Change Imperative Sentences to Reported Speech

1. Identify the Imperative Sentence: Recognize whether the sentence is a command, request, or suggestion.
2. Change the Verb Form: Use the base form of the verb in the imperative sentence. In reported speech, you typically use “to” + base form of the verb.
   • Example: “Close the door.” → “He told her to close the door.”
3. Add Reporting Verbs: Use appropriate reporting verbs such as “tell,” “ask,” “advise,” “order,” or “request.” The choice of verb may depend on the tone of the imperative.
   • Example: “Please help me.” → “She asked him to help her.”
4. Adjust for Negatives: If the imperative is negative (e.g., “Don’t touch that!”), use “not” before the infinitive form of the verb.
   • Example: “Don’t be late.” → “He warned them not to be late.”
5. Consider Politeness: If the original command is polite (e.g., using “please”), you can retain that politeness in your reported speech.
   • Example: “Please pass the salt.” → “He requested her to pass the salt.”

Also Read: Types of Sentences in English

Imperative Reported Speech with Verb from Direct to Indirect Speech

An imperative sentence always indicates a command, advice or a request. Therefore, we must use appropriate verbs according to advice, command or request. Here is a list of verbs used to change direct speech into indirect speech as provided in the table below:

Verbs of Request	Request, Ask, beg, desire, entreat, pray, implore, solicit
Verbs of Advice	Exhort, Urge, Persuade and Advice
Verbs of Command	Order, tell, command bid, change, require. (‘Forbid’) is the negative verb of command.
The most used Verbs include:	Ask and tell

Another main key point in ‘tell’ is often used to express a ‘command’, ‘order’ or ‘request’. Therefore, it is safe to use ‘tell’ in the indirect form when there is doubt about a proper word to introduce a reported speech. 

Imperative Reported Speech Exercise 1

Transform the following direct speech sentences into reported speech. Pay attention to the changes in tense, pronouns, and any other necessary adjustments.

1. “Close the door,” she said.
2. “Please help me with my homework,” he asked.
3. “Don’t touch that!” the teacher warned.
4. “Finish your dinner,” my mother told me.
5. “Take a seat,” the manager instructed.
6. “Remember to call me,” she reminded him.
7. “Be quiet during the presentation,” he requested.
8. “Try to arrive on time,” she advised.

Check Answers:

1. She told me to close the door.
2. He asked me to help him with his homework.
3. The teacher warned me not to touch that.
4. My mother told me to finish my dinner.
5. The manager instructed me to take a seat.
6. She reminded him to remember to call her.
7. He requested me to be quiet during the presentation.
8. She advised me to try to arrive on time.

Also Read: Tenses Rules: Charts, Examples, Types [PDF Available]

Imperative Reported Speech Exercise 2

Convert the following imperative sentences from direct speech into reported speech. Use appropriate reporting verbs such as “ask,” “tell,” “advise,” or “remind.”

1. “Please sit down.”
2. “Don’t forget to call me.”
3. “Clean your room.”
4. “Let’s go for a walk.”
5. “Be quiet during the presentation.”

Check Your Answers:

1. She asked him to sit down.
2. He reminded her not to forget to call him.
3. The mother told her child to clean his room.
4. He suggested that they go for a walk.
5. The teacher instructed the students to be quiet during the presentation.

Also Read: Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises For Class 8 

Imperative Reported Speech Exercise 3 with Answers

Convert the following imperative sentences from direct speech into reported speech. Use appropriate reporting verbs such as “ask,” “tell,” “advise,” or “remind.”

1. “Please fetch my glasses.”
2. “Return the books in a month.”
3. “Don’t forget to call me.”
4. “Clean your room.”
5. “Be quiet during the presentation.”Be quiet during the presentation.

Answers:

1. Grandma asked me to fetch her glasses.
2. The librarian told us to return the books in a month.
3. He reminded her not to forget to call him.
4. The mother told her child to clean his room.
5. The teacher instructed the students to be quiet during the presentation.

More Blogs on Reported Speech!

Reporting Verbs Exercises	Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises
Reported Speech Interrogative	Exploring the Types of Reported Speech
50 Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech Interrogative Sentences	Direct and Indirect Speech Worksheet
How to Change Sentences into Indirect Speech	Direct And Indirect Speech Questions
Reported Speech Exercises For Class 9	Direct and Indirect Speech Rules & Examples

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