Reported Speech: Commands & Requests MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is for Class 9 students of English Language and Literature (Code 184), focusing on the Section B: Grammar unit. It covers the key concepts of converting commands and requests into reported speech, including the correct use of reporting verbs and changes in pronouns, tenses, and time/place adverbs. Answer all 10 questions and click submit to see your score and download a PDF of your answers.
Understanding Reported Speech: Commands & Requests
When we change a direct command or request into reported (or indirect) speech, we don’t use a conjunction like ‘that’. Instead, the structure changes significantly. The imperative mood (the base form of the verb) in direct speech is replaced by the infinitive form (to + verb) in reported speech. We also use a specific reporting verb that matches the tone of the original sentence (e.g., ordered, requested, advised, forbade).
Key Rules for Reporting Commands and Requests
1. Choice of Reporting Verb
The reporting verb ‘said to’ is replaced by a verb that expresses a command, request, advice, or prohibition. The choice of verb is crucial for conveying the right meaning.
- For Commands: Use verbs like ordered, commanded, told, instructed.
- For Requests: Use verbs like requested, asked, begged, pleaded.
- For Advice: Use verbs like advised, urged, suggested.
- For Prohibitions (Negative Commands): Use verbs like forbade, told…not, prohibited.
2. Structural Transformation
The main change is from the imperative structure to the infinitive structure.
- Affirmative Command/Request: The main verb in the direct speech changes to its infinitive form (to + verb).
Direct: The teacher said to the students, “Sit down.”
Reported: The teacher ordered the students to sit down. - Negative Command/Request: For sentences starting with “Do not” or “Don’t”, we use “not to + verb”. Alternatively, we can use the verb ‘forbade’.
Direct: My mother said to me, “Don’t touch the hot pan.”
Reported: My mother told me not to touch the hot pan. OR My mother forbade me to touch the hot pan.
3. Standard Changes in Pronouns, Time, and Place
The general rules for changing pronouns, adverbs of time, and adverbs of place still apply, just as they do in other types of reported speech.
| Direct Speech Word | Reported Speech Word |
|---|---|
| now | then |
| today | that day |
| yesterday | the day before / the previous day |
| tomorrow | the next day / the following day |
| here | there |
| this | that |
Quick Revision Checklist
- Identify if the sentence is a command, request, or advice.
- Choose the appropriate reporting verb (e.g., ordered, requested, advised).
- Change the imperative verb to its infinitive form (to + verb).
- For negative commands, use ‘not to + verb’ or ‘forbade’.
- Change pronouns (I, you, my, your, etc.) according to the speaker and listener.
- Change words indicating time and place (now, here, today, etc.) as needed.
Extra Practice Questions
Convert the following sentences into reported speech:
- The officer said to his men, “March forward.”
- She said to her friend, “Please lend me your book.”
- The doctor said to the patient, “Take your medicine on time.”
- I said to the child, “Don’t play with fire.”
- The stranger said to me, “Show me the way to the post office, please.”
