Reported Speech Requests and Orders

Requests

A request is when somebody asks you to do something – usually politely. A common reporting verb for an order is asked.

direct request	reported request
She said, “Could you open the window, please?”	She asked me to open the window.
He said, “Please don’t cry.”	He asked me not to cry.

Orders

Commands or orders are much stronger than requests or suggestions. A common reporting verb for an order is told. Other common reporting verbs include order and command.

direct request	reported request
She said, “Leave now.”	She asked me to leave then.
He said, “Please don’t smoke.”	He told them not to smoke.