General Structure
The structure changes depending on whether the original imperative was:
* A command: "Go to bed!"
* A request: "Please open the door."
* Advice: "You should eat more vegetables."
1. Command:
* Direct: "Go to bed!"
* Indirect: He told me to go to bed.
2. Request:
* Direct: "Please open the door."
* Indirect: He asked me to open the door.
3. Advice:
* Direct: "You should eat more vegetables."
* Indirect: He advised me to eat more vegetables.
Key Points:
* Reporting Verb: Choose a reporting verb that reflects the tone of the original command. Common verbs include: *tell*, *ask*, *advise*, *order*, *command*, *beg*, *suggest*, *recommend*.
* Infinitive: The original verb in the imperative usually changes to an infinitive (to + verb).
* Pronouns: If the original imperative was addressed to someone else, you'll need to change the pronoun to reflect who the speaker is addressing.
* Time: If the original imperative was in the past, you'll need to change the tense of the reporting verb accordingly.
Examples:
* Direct: "Don't touch that!"
* Indirect: He warned me not to touch that.
* Direct: "Could you pass the salt?"
* Indirect: She asked me to pass the salt.
* Direct: "You ought to visit your parents."
* Indirect: He suggested that I visit my parents.
Important Notes:
* Negative Imperatives: Use "not" before the infinitive in indirect speech.
* Questions: Imperative questions are rarely reported directly. For example: "Do you want to go?" would be reported as: "He asked me if I wanted to go."
Let me know if you have any more examples you'd like help with!