Understanding Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are commands, requests, or instructions. They typically start with a verb and are often used to tell someone to do something.
The Conversion Process
1. Introduce a Reporting Verb: Use a reporting verb that reflects the tone of the original imperative, such as:
* Tell: "He told me to close the door."
* Ask: "She asked me to wait."
* Order: "The officer ordered them to stop."
* Command: "The general commanded his troops to advance."
* Request: "The child requested her mother to read a story."
2. Change the Subject: The subject of the imperative sentence (usually "you" implied) becomes the object of the reporting verb.
3. Use an Infinitive: The verb in the imperative sentence is converted to an infinitive (the base form of the verb + "to").
4. Adjust the Pronoun: The pronoun in the imperative sentence might need to be changed depending on the context. If the original sentence is addressed to a specific person, the pronoun in the indirect sentence might be changed accordingly.
Example:
Direct Speech: "Close the door!"
Indirect Speech: He told me to close the door.
Further Examples
* Direct Speech: "Please wait here."
* Indirect Speech: She asked me to wait there.
* Direct Speech: "Don't touch that."
* Indirect Speech: He warned me not to touch that.
* Direct Speech: "Go to your room."
* Indirect Speech: The teacher told the student to go to his room.
Key Points
* The tense of the reporting verb (told, asked, ordered, etc.) will often dictate the tense of the infinitive.
* If the original imperative sentence is negative, use "not" before the infinitive in the indirect sentence.
* The context will help you determine the appropriate reporting verb and any necessary pronoun adjustments.