An order or a request in indirect speech is expressed by an infinitive:
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
She said to him, “Please, open the window (do not open the window).” | She asked him to open the window (not to open the window). |
She said to him, “Open the window (do not open the window).” | She told him to open the window (not to open the window). |
The choice of the verb is determined by the character of the order (request). The verb most commonly used to introduce indirect orders is the verb to tell; the verb to order is frequently used, occasionally also the verb to command.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
The officer said to the soldiers, “Stop!” | The officer commanded the soldiers to stop. |
Mr. Bumble said to Oliver, “Bow to the board.” | Mr. Bumble ordered Oliver to bow to the board. |
The verb to request is used in the official style, chiefly in the Passive Voice.
The verb to request introduces rather a veiled order than a request.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
The ticket collector said to the passenger, “Produce your ticket.” | The ticket collector requested the passenger to produce his ticket.
or: The passenger was requested to produce his ticket. |
Unemotional requests are usually introduced by the verb to ask.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
He said to a passer-by, “Will you show me the way to the theatre?” | He asked a passer-by to show him the way to the theatre. |
The verb to beg introduces a request somewhat more emotional.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
The child said to his mother, “Do take me to the circus!” | The child begged his mother to take him to the circus. |
Very often, however, it is used in the same meaning as the verb to ask, only it is more polite:
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
He said to the visitor, “Will you walk in?” | He begged the visitor to walk in. |
Emotional (emphatic) requests are introduced by the verbs to implore to entreat to beseech.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
Eliza said to the stranger, “Do save my child!” | Eliza implored the stranger to save her child. |
The verb to urge introduces a request made with great insistence.
Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
---|---|
The mother said to her son, “Do take care of yourself!” | The mother urged her son to take care of himself. |
As is seen from the above examples, in converting requests beginning with the emphatic do, we use the verbs to implore, to entreat, to beseech, to urge.