How Do You Report an Order or a Request?
An order like Wait outside. or a request like Can you carry this box? has no tense to move back. Report it with told / asked + object + to + base verb. The object is the person who must do it (me, us, Lan).
ORDER“Wait outside.”
The guard told us to wait outside.
REQUEST“Can you carry this box upstairs?”
My neighbour asked me to carry a box upstairs.
DON'T“Don't be late.”
The teacher told us not to be late.
Told for orders, asked for requests. Then the person, then to + base verb.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My boss asked me blank the report by Friday."
The forms
ORDER / REQUEST
Stold / askedobjectto V
Hoa asked me to water her plants.
To + base verb has no tense. Nothing moves back.
DON'T
Stold / askedobjectnot to V
They told us not to park in front of the gate.
Not goes before to.
WANT
Swant / would likeobjectto V
Would you like me to call a taxi?
No that after want.
SAME PATTERN
- adviseadvise me to
- remindremind us to
- warnwarn them to
- inviteinvite her to
- allowallow him to
- teachteach me to
Pronouns and place words still change: "Wait for me here." → She told me to wait for her there. With help, to is optional: help me (to) carry.
"Don't touch it." → She told me not to touch it.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"The travel agent reminded us blank our passports."
When to use it
Passing on a message
The manager asked everyone to be at the office by 8 on Monday.
A colleague missed the meeting. You tell them what the boss said.
Advice from a doctor
The doctor advised me to drink more water.
Your family asks what the doctor said.
A warning
The guide warned us not to swim after 5 p.m.
You tell friends who arrive at the beach later.
Told Me to or Told Me That?
If someone wants an action done, use to. If they give information or ask a question, use a clause with that or if, as in reported statements and questions.
| + TO | + THAT / IF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tell | Minh told me to call him. | Minh told me (that) he had called. |
| Ask | She asked me to open the window. | She asked me if the window was open. |
| What follows | to + base verb, no tense | subject + verb, moved back |
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I'll be late." → Minh told me blank late.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I want you go with me.
Correct:I want you to go with me.
After the person, you need to.
Incorrect:My parents want that I study medicine.
Correct:My parents want me to study medicine.
Want is never followed by a that clause.
Incorrect:He told me don't worry about the money.
Correct:He told me not to worry about the money.
Reported orders drop don't. Use not to.
Incorrect:She said me to send the photos.
Correct:She told me to send the photos.
Say does not take a person directly. Use tell.
Incorrect:The manager asked us to finished the report.
Correct:The manager asked us to finish the report.
Only asked is past. After to, use the base verb.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
Our landlord asked us to pay the rent on the first day of the month.
- A. to pay — Correct
- B. pay
- C. paying
Answer: A. to pay
The landlord made a request, so: asked us to pay.
Choose the correct form:
The nurse told me not to eat anything before the blood test.
- A. not to eat — Correct
- B. don't eat
- C. not eat
Answer: A. not to eat
The original was "Don't eat anything." Reported, it is not to eat.
Choose the correct sentence:
My teacher wants us to speak English in class.
- A. My teacher wants us to speak English in class. — Correct
- B. My teacher wants that we speak English in class.
- C. My teacher wants us speak English in class.
Answer: A. My teacher wants us to speak English in class.
No that after want. The person comes next, then to speak.
Choose the correct verb:
Hùng told me to meet him at the station.
- A. told — Correct
- B. said
- C. said to
Answer: A. told
Say cannot take a person and then to. Use told.
Mai said, "Close the window, please." Choose the correct report:
She asked me to close the window.
- A. She asked me to close the window. — Correct
- B. She asked me if I closed the window.
- C. She asked me close the window.
Answer: A. She asked me to close the window.
Mai wanted something done, so use to close, not if.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions