Reported Questions and Commands: English Grammar Guide

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is how we tell someone what another person said, asked, or commanded—without quoting their exact words. Instead of quotation marks, we use a reporting clause (e.g., “She said…,” “He asked…,” “They told me…”) followed by a clause that contains the content of the original message. When we report questions and commands, we must adjust word order, pronouns, time expressions, and often the tense.

• Direct: She said, “I am tired.”

• Reported: She said (that) she was tired.

This guide focuses on the special rules for reported questions and reported commands/requests.

Key Principles You’ll Use Again and Again

1. Word order becomes statement order (subject before verb) in reported questions.

2. No question mark appears in reported questions.

3. For yes/no questions, use if or whether to introduce the clause.

4. Keep the original wh-word (who, what, where, when, why, how) if the question has one.

5. Use to + base verb to report commands and requests. For negatives, use not to + base verb.

6. Adjust pronouns, time words, and tenses as needed for clarity and timeline.

Reported Questions: Word Order and Punctuation

In direct questions, we usually invert the subject and auxiliary verb (“Are you…?”, “Have they…?”, “Can she…?”). In reported questions, we use normal statement order and drop the question mark.

• Direct: He asked, “Where are you going?”

• Reported: He asked where I was going.

• Direct: “Is she coming?” he asked.

• Reported: He asked if she was coming.

Notice the subject (I/she) comes before the verb (was), and the question mark disappears.

Yes/No Questions: Use “If” or “Whether”

If the question could be answered with yes or no, introduce the reported clause with if or whether.

• Direct: She asked, “Do you like coffee?”

• Reported: She asked if I liked coffee. / She asked whether I liked coffee.

Both if and whether are correct. Use whether when presenting alternatives:

• She asked whether I wanted tea or coffee.

Wh- Questions: Keep the Wh-Word

When the question begins with a wh-word (who, what, where, when, why, how), keep that word and follow with statement order.

• Direct: He asked, “What time does the movie start?”

• Reported: He asked what time the movie started.

• Direct: They asked, “How are you?”

• Reported: They asked how I was.

Do not add if or whether when a wh-word already exists.

Tense Shifts (Backshifting) in Reported Questions

If your reporting verb is in the past (asked, wanted to know, inquired), backshift the tense when appropriate:

• Present simple → Past simple
  “Do you play?” → She asked if I played.

• Present continuous → Past continuous
  “Are you coming?” → He asked if I was coming.

• Present perfect → Past perfect
  “Have you finished?” → She asked if I had finished.

• Will → Would
  “Will you call me?” → He asked if I would call him.

No backshift is needed for universal truths or still-true facts:

• He asked what time the sun rises.

Reporting Verbs for Questions

Beyond ask, you can vary tone and formality with:

• inquire (formal): She inquired whether the parcel had arrived.

• wonder (polite/indirect): He wondered if she liked jazz.

• want to know (neutral): They wanted to know why we were late.

These verbs are followed by the reported clause using if/whether or a wh-word as appropriate.

Reported Commands and Orders: The To-Infinitive Pattern

Commands become reporting verb + object + to-infinitive. This pattern is central to reported imperatives.

• Direct: The teacher said, “Open your books.”

• Reported: The teacher told us to open our books.

Common reporting verbs for commands and orders:

• tell, order, command, instruct, urge, warn, remind, advise

Note the presence of an object (us, me, them) after the reporting verb when it makes sense: “told us to open.”

Negative Commands

To report prohibitions or negative imperatives, use not + to-infinitive.

• Direct: Mom said, “Don’t be late.”

• Reported: Mom told me not to be late.

• Direct: The sign said, “Do not touch.”

• Reported: The sign warned people not to touch.

Reported Requests: Polite Imperatives without “Please”

If the original command has please, remove it in the reported form and choose a suitable reporting verb (ask, request, beg, invite).

• Direct: He said, “Please help me.”

• Reported: He asked me to help him.

• Direct: She said, “Please don’t tell anyone.”

• Reported: She begged me not to tell anyone.

Suggestions and Advice (Including “Let”)

Suggestions and advice are not quite commands, but they’re reported with similar patterns.

• advise + object + to-infinitive
  Direct: “Take a rest.” → Reported: The doctor advised me to take a rest.

• suggest + -ing (not “to”)
  Direct: “Let’s go out.” → Reported: She suggested going out.

Handling “Let”

• “Let’s …” (we-form suggestion) → suggested + -ing
  “Let’s start.” → He suggested starting.

• “Let him/her …” (permission/command to someone else) → told/ordered + object + to + verb
  “Let him go.” → She told them to let him go.

• “Let me …” (speaker asking permission) → asked to + verb
  “Let me try.” → He asked to try.

Time, Place, and Pronoun Changes

Adjust pronouns and time/place words to fit the new speaker, listener, and context.

• Pronouns: “I” → “he/she,” “my” → “his/her” as needed.

• Time words: “today” → “that day,” “tomorrow” → “the next day,” “yesterday” → “the previous day.”

• Place words: “here” → “there,” “this” → “that.”

Example:

• Direct: “Will you meet me here tomorrow?” she asked.

• Reported: She asked if I would meet her there the next day.

Mixed Examples (Questions and Commands)

1. Direct: “Where did you park the car?” she asked.
   Reported: She asked where I had parked the car.

2. Direct: “Do not touch the exhibits,” the guard said.
   Reported: The guard told us not to touch the exhibits.

3. Direct: “Can you help me with this project?” he asked.
   Reported: He asked if I could help him with the project.

4. Direct: “Finish your homework,” my father said.
   Reported: My father told me to finish my homework.

5. Direct: “Let’s meet at the café,” she said.
   Reported: She suggested meeting at the café.

6. Direct: “Will you be free next week?” they asked.
   Reported: They asked whether I would be free the following week.

7. Direct: “Please wait here,” the receptionist said.
   Reported: The receptionist asked me to wait there.

Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Them

• Keeping question inversion
  Wrong: He asked where was I going.
  Right: He asked where I was going.

• Using a question mark
  Wrong: He asked where I was going?
  Right: He asked where I was going.

• Forgetting “to” in commands
  Wrong: She told me open the door.
  Right: She told me to open the door.

• Adding “if” to wh-questions
  Wrong: He asked if where I was going.
  Right: He asked where I was going.

• Using “suggest to + verb”
  Wrong: She suggested to go.
  Right: She suggested going.

Quick Reference Table

Mini Drill: Convert to Reported Speech

Try these yourself before checking the suggested answers.

1. “What are you doing?” she asked.

2. “Don’t forget your keys,” Mom said.

3. “Can I borrow your book?” he asked.

4. “Please sit down,” the teacher said.

5. “Let’s stay home,” she said.

6. “Do you understand the instructions?” the manager asked.

7. “Finish the report by Friday,” the supervisor said.

8. “Why were you late yesterday?” he asked.

9. “Don’t use your phone here,” the sign said.

10. “Let him explain,” she said.

Suggested Answers

1. She asked what I was doing.

2. Mom told me not to forget my keys.

3. He asked if he could borrow my book.

4. The teacher asked me to sit down.

5. She suggested staying home.

6. The manager asked whether I understood the instructions.

7. The supervisor told me to finish the report by Friday.

8. He asked why I had been late the previous day.

9. The sign told people not to use their phones there.

10. She told them to let him explain.

Pro Tips for Natural, Accurate Reporting

• Choose the right reporting verb for nuance (ask, inquire, wonder; tell, order, advise; request, beg, invite, remind).

• When the original meaning is still current or universally true, you may skip backshifting.

• Keep the listener/object clear in commands: told me, reminded us, warned them.

• Always check pronouns and time/place words for the new context.

• For wh-questions, remember: wh-word + subject + verb, never inversion.

Final Takeaway

If you can remember three core recipes, you’ll master most cases:

1. Yes/No Questions: reporting verb + if/whether + statement order
   She asked if I was ready.

2. Wh- Questions: reporting verb + wh-word + statement order
   He asked where I had parked.

3. Commands/Requests: reporting verb + object + (not) to + base verb
   They told us not to be late.

Apply these consistently, adjust tense and pronouns to fit the timeline and perspective, and your reported questions and commands will sound clear, natural, and precise.

FAQs

What is a reported question and how is it different from a direct question?

A reported question is an indirect way of telling what someone asked, without using quotation marks or question punctuation. Instead of inverting word order like a direct question (“Are you coming?”), a reported question uses statement order and no question mark (He asked if I was coming.). The reporting clause (e.g., he asked, she wanted to know) introduces the content of the original question.

How do I report yes/no questions correctly?

Use if or whether to introduce the clause, followed by statement order (subject before verb) and no question mark. Example: “Do you like coffee?” → She asked if/whether I liked coffee. Choose whether when alternatives are explicit (She asked whether I wanted tea or coffee.).

How do I report wh- questions (who/what/where/when/why/how)?

Keep the original wh-word and switch to statement word order. Do not add if. Examples: “Where are you?” → He asked where I was. / “How did you fix it?” → She asked how I had fixed it.

Do I always need to change the tense (backshift) in reported questions?

Backshift is common when the reporting verb is in the past (asked, wanted to know). Typical shifts include present → past, present perfect → past perfect, and will → would. However, no backshift is needed for universal truths, ongoing facts, or when the time frame clearly remains the same. Example: He asked what time the sun rises.

Which reporting verbs work well for questions?

Beyond ask, common options include inquire (formal), wonder (polite/indirect), and want to know (neutral). Choose based on tone and context: She inquired whether the parcel had arrived; He wondered why she was upset; They wanted to know when the event would start.

How do I report commands and orders?

Use the pattern reporting verb + object + to-infinitive. Example: “Open your books.” → The teacher told us to open our books. Common reporting verbs are tell, order, command, instruct, urge, warn, remind, advise. Include an object if necessary (told me, warned us).

How do I report negative commands?

Use not + to-infinitive. Examples: “Don’t be late.” → Mom told me not to be late. / “Do not touch.” → The guard warned us not to touch. Avoid using “to not” in formal writing; not to is the standard placement for clarity.

How are polite requests with “please” reported?

Remove “please” and choose an appropriate reporting verb such as ask, request, beg, invite. Then use the to-infinitive structure: “Please help me.” → He asked me to help him. For negatives: “Please don’t tell anyone.” → She begged me not to tell anyone.

What should I do with “let” in commands and suggestions?

It depends on the meaning:

• Let’s + verb (suggestion): use suggest + -ing. “Let’s go.” → He suggested going.
• Let him/her… (permission/order): use told/ordered + object + to + verb. “Let him go.” → She told them to let him go.
• Let me… (asking permission): use asked to + verb. “Let me try.” → He asked to try.

How do pronouns, time words, and place words change?

Adjust for the new speaker and context. Pronouns shift to maintain reference (“I” → he/she), time words shift (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, yesterday → the previous day), and place words shift (here → there, this → that). Example: “Will you meet me here tomorrow?” she asked → She asked if I would meet her there the next day.

Do reported questions keep a question mark?

No. In reported questions the structure becomes a statement, so you do not use a question mark. Example: He asked where I was going. (no question mark). Punctuation should reflect the declarative word order and tone.

Can I start a reported question with “that”?

Generally, no. Use if/whether for yes/no questions and the relevant wh-word for wh-questions. The conjunction that introduces reported statements, not reported questions. Compare: “I am late.” → He said (that) he was late. vs. “Are you late?” → He asked if I was late.

What are common mistakes to avoid in reported questions and commands?

• Keeping inversion: ❌ He asked where was I going → ✅ …where I was going.
• Using a question mark: ❌ He asked where I was going? → ✅ …where I was going.
• Adding “if” to a wh-question: ❌ He asked if where… → ✅ He asked where…
• Forgetting “to” in commands: ❌ She told me open → ✅ She told me to open.
• Using “suggest to + verb”: ❌ She suggested to go → ✅ She suggested going.

How do I report questions with modal verbs (can, may, must, should)?

Modals often backshift: can → could, will → would, may → might. Some modals don’t have a past form; use alternatives where logical. Examples: “Can you help?” → He asked if I could help. / “Will you join us?” → She asked whether I would join them. / “Must I leave now?” → He asked if he had to leave then. (use had to for must when backshifting).

How do I report multi-part questions or follow-up commands?

Split content into separate reported clauses for clarity. Example: “Where are you staying, and can you send the address?” → She asked where I was staying and asked me to send the address. If both parts are questions, keep each in statement order; if one is a command, use the to-infinitive for that part.

Are there situations where I shouldn’t backshift tense?

Yes. When the fact is still true or the time reference hasn’t moved, keep the present: “How many legs does a spider have?” → He asked how many legs a spider has. Similarly, for scheduled future events still pending at report time, you may keep a present or future form for clarity, especially in informal contexts.

How do I report indirect, polite questions that begin with “I was wondering…”?

These are already indirect. You can treat the content after the wh-word or if/whether as the reported portion. Example: “I was wondering if you could help.” → He said he was wondering if I could help (or simply He asked if I could help for concision). Ensure statement word order and appropriate backshift if needed.

What’s the best quick recipe for reported questions?

Use this checklist: (1) Choose the right linker: if/whether for yes/no; wh-word for wh-questions. (2) Use statement order (subject before verb). (3) Remove the question mark. (4) Backshift tense if the reporting verb is in the past and the timing has moved. (5) Adjust pronouns, time, and place words. Example: “When will you arrive?” → She asked when I would arrive.

What’s the best quick recipe for reported commands and requests?

Apply: reporting verb + object + (not) to + base verb. Choose the verb for nuance (tell for neutral, order/command for firm directives, ask/request/beg for politeness). Example: “Please, don’t be late.” → She asked me not to be late.

Can you show a compact conversion set for practice?

Try these and compare:

• “What are you doing?” → She asked what I was doing.
• “Do not use your phone here.” → The sign told people not to use their phones there.
• “Will you send the file?” → He asked whether I would send the file.
• “Let’s start now.” → She suggested starting then.
• “Please wait outside.” → The receptionist asked me to wait outside.

Final takeaway

For questions, think linker + statement order + no question mark. For commands/requests, think reporting verb + object + (not) to + verb. Combine these with sensible backshifting and updates to pronouns, time, and place, and your reported questions and commands will be accurate, natural, and clear in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.

English Grammar Guide: Complete Rules, Examples, and Tips for All Levels