Reporting Questions and Requests/Commands
Reporting questions
1. We use a reporting verb (ask, want to know, wonder) and the same word order as in statements.
Do you like science fiction films? > He asked if I liked science fiction films.
2. With yes/no questions use if/whether.
Are you coming with us? > He asked if I was going with them.
Do you want tea or coffee? > She asked me whether I wanted tea or coffee.
Can you tell me the way? > She asked if I could tell her the way.
Could you tell me the way? > She asked if I could tell her the way.
May I interrupt for a moment? > I asked if I might interrupt for a moment.
3. With wh-questions, use wh-question word.
When is he leaving? > He wanted to know when he was leaving.
1. We use a reporting verb (ask, want to know, wonder) and the same word order as in statements.
Do you like science fiction films? > He asked if I liked science fiction films.
2. With yes/no questions use if/whether.
Are you coming with us? > He asked if I was going with them.
Do you want tea or coffee? > She asked me whether I wanted tea or coffee.
Can you tell me the way? > She asked if I could tell her the way.
Could you tell me the way? > She asked if I could tell her the way.
May I interrupt for a moment? > I asked if I might interrupt for a moment.
3. With wh-questions, use wh-question word.
When is he leaving? > He wanted to know when he was leaving.
Reporting requests/commands
1. We use the reporting verbs ask, tell and the formula verb+object+full infinitive
Come here, please! > He asked me to go there.
2. For negative requests/commands use not+full infinitive
Please don't speak so quickly. > He told me not to speak so quickly.
1. We use the reporting verbs ask, tell and the formula verb+object+full infinitive
Come here, please! > He asked me to go there.
2. For negative requests/commands use not+full infinitive
Please don't speak so quickly. > He told me not to speak so quickly.
Exericse 5
Reported questions 2
Gap-fill exercise
Turn the following into reported questions.