Reported Speech: Questions and Commands

Turn direct questions and imperatives into smooth, natural reported forms.

Explanation

When we report questions and commands, the original words are transformed so they fit inside a normal sentence. The result is a statement, not a question or an order, so we usually need to change word order, pronouns, and tense.

Reporting questions. Yes/no questions are introduced with if or whether. Wh- questions keep their wh- word, but the verb moves into statement position. Tenses typically backshift: present simple becomes past simple, will becomes would, and can becomes could. Because the whole thing is now a statement, the question mark is dropped.

Reporting commands. We use a reporting verb such as tell, ask, order, warn, or advise, followed by the person addressed and to + base verb. Negative commands insert not before to: "not to + verb".

Examples

Here are some everyday transformations.

• Direct: "Are you coming?" → Reported: She asked if I was coming.
• Direct: "Where do you live?" → Reported: He asked me where I lived.
• Direct: "Can you help me?" → Reported: She asked whether I could help her.
• Direct: "Why did you leave early?" → Reported: My friend asked why I had left early.
• Direct: "Close the door!" → Reported: He told me to close the door.
• Direct: "Please sit down." → Reported: The host asked us to sit down.
• Direct: "Don't touch that!" → Reported: The teacher told them not to touch that.

Common mistakes

• ❌ She asked me where do I live. ✅ She asked me where I lived. (In reported questions, the word order stays like a statement.)
• ❌ He told to me to wait. ✅ He told me to wait. (Told is followed directly by the object.)
• ❌ He asked did I like coffee. ✅ He asked if I liked coffee. (Use if or whether for yes/no questions.)
• ❌ "Don't run!" He told not to run. ✅ He told them not to run. (Always include the person addressed.)
• ❌ "What time is it?" She asked what time was it. ✅ She asked what time it was. (Statement word order again.)

In real life

Anna and Ben talk about a job interview.

Anna: How was the interview?

Ben: Quite intense. The manager asked me why I had left my last job. Then she asked if I could start next month and whether I was willing to travel.

Anna: What did you say?

Ben: I told her I could start in two weeks. She also told me not to give up my hobbies, which was kind. Finally, she ordered me to call HR by Friday.