Reported Orders
When someone tells you very directly to do something. For example:
- Direct speech: "Sit down!"
We use 'told me + to + infinitive'
- Reported speech: She told me to sit down.
To report a negative order, use 'not':
- Direct speech: "Don't shout."
- Reported speech: She told me not to shout.
| Direct Order | Reported Order |
| “Go to bed!” | He told the child to go to bed. |
| “Don't worry!” | He told her not to worry. |
| “Be on time!” | He told me to be on time. |
| “Don't smoke! | He told us not to smoke. |
Reported Requests
If someone asks you to do something (in a polite way)? For example:
- Direct speech: "Close the window, please"
- Or: "Could you close the window please?"
- Or: "Would you mind closing the window please?"
All of these requests mean the same thing, so we don't need to report every word when we tell another person about it. We simply use 'asked me + to + infinitive':
- Reported speech: She asked me to close the window.
To report a negative request, use 'not':
- Direct speech: "Please don't be late."
- Reported speech: She asked us not to be late.
Here are a few more examples:
| Direct Request | Reported Request |
| “Please help me”. | She asked me to help her. |
| “Please don't smoke”. | She asked me not to smoke. |
| “Could you bring my book tonight?” | She asked me to bring her book that night. |
| “Could you pass the milk, please?” | She asked me to pass the milk. |
| “Would you mind coming early tomorrow?” | She asked me to come early the next day. |
Let's practise with the lyrics of these songs:
"7 Years" -LUKAS GRAHAM
Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,
"Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely."
Once I was seven years old
It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure
Once I was eleven years old, my daddy told me,
"Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely."
Once I was eleven years old
I always had that dream, like my daddy before me
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
Something about that glory just always seemed to bore me
'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once I was twenty years old
(Lukas Graham!)
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major
I got my boys with me, at least those in favor
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
I was writing about everything I saw before me
Once I was twenty years old
Soon we'll be thirty years old, our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming
Soon we'll be thirty years old
I'm still learning about life
My woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs
And I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me
Some are still out seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind
My brother, I'm still sorry
Soon I'll be sixty years old, my daddy got sixty-one
Remember life, and then your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month
Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?
Soon I'll be sixty years old
Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?
Soon I'll be sixty years old
Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,
"Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely."
Once I was seven years old
Once I was seven years old
"The Nights" - AVICII
Hey, once upon a younger year
When all our shadows disappeared
The animals inside came out to play
Hey, went face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears
Made memories we knew would never fade
One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away."
He took me in his arms, I heard him say,
"When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
[Instrumental]
When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can't put out
Carve your name into those shining stars
He said, "Go venture far beyond these shores.
Don't forsake this life of yours.
I'll guide you home no matter where you are."
One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away."
When I was just a kid I heard him say,
"When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
These are the nights that never die
My father told me
Hey, hey
