Indirect imperatives (oreders, commands, requests, advice)

An order, command or request is rendered in indirect speech by an infinitive, used after a reporting verb.

You mention the person addressed as the object of the verb before the infinitive:

Jim told me to ring him up. He asked her to marry him.

He advised his client to buy the car.

If the person addressed is not indicated in direct speech it can be supplied from the context.

Orders, requests, etc. in indirect speech are introduced by the verbs: tell, order, ask, beg, command, persuade, warn, request, remind, invite, advise.

They begged to be let in. He ordered to let them in.

If the order, request or command is negative, you put ‘ not ’ before the to-infinitive:

He begged not to blame him.

She told the children not to touch anything in the room.

To express an emphatic and urgent request the verbs urge and implore are used.

She urged the lawyer to send the paper.

Note: a to-infinitive can also be used after the verbs intend, plan, want, hope, decide, prefer, forget, to report statements.

She hoped to marry him soon. He didn't want to leave.

They planned to marry in June.

INDIRECT QUESTIONS

If a general question is reported, the object clause reporting it in indirect speech is joined to the principal one by the conjunctions if or whether. The word order in the subordinate clause is direct.

“Did you see Ann?” he asked me. – He asked me if (whether) I had seen Ann.

I asked if (whether) I could stay.

Only whether is used if an alternative question is reported:

“Do you want coffee or tea?” – She asks whether I want coffee or tea.

An indirect special question is introduced by the same adverb or pronoun as that used in the direct question. In this case it is treated as a conjunctive word. The word order in the object subordinate clause becomes direct.

“What are you doing?” she asks me. – She asks me what I am doing.

“Where is John?” he asks his sister. – He asks his sister where John is.

Indirect questions are introduced by the verbs: ask, inquire, wonder, doubt, know, want to know and others.

The person addressed is usually mentioned in the sentence itself, or in a broader context, or can be understood from the situation. In indirect speech the person addressed is expressed by the object to the verb introducing indirect speech.

“What are you going to do?” she asks. – She asks us what we are going to do.

In rendering answers the verbs answer, reply, assure, say in reply and others of the kind are used.

He asked us if we knew the way and we assured him that we did.

INDIRECT EXCLAMATIONS

When exclamations are converted into indirect speech, the adverbial modifier shows the character of the exclamation such as joy, sorrow, surprise, doubt, astonishment etc.

The verbs cry, say, exclaim, ask, apologize, beg, thank and others are used.

“What fine weather!” she exclaimed. –

She exclaimed joyfully (cried, shouted, said) that the weather was fine.

“It's a pity you are leaving so soon!” she said. –

She said with pity that we were leaving soon.

GREETINGS AND LEAVE-TAKINGS IN INDIRECT SPEECH

When converting greetings and leave-takings into indirect speech we use the verbs greet, welcome, exchange greetings, return one's greeting, say hallo, say good bye, bid good morning (bade / bid, bidden), wish good night.

“Hello,” she said entering the room. – Entering the room she greeted us.