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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. |
