Along with "say (said)", "tell (told)", and "ask (asked)", there are many other verbs that can be used to report what someone said. When you want to report an order, request, or suggestion, there are specific verbs that are used.
Reporting OrdersWhen you want to report an order (a demand or strong request), there are specific verbs that are used. The format for these commonly-used reporting verbs is "reporting verb + person spoken to + infinitive (to + verb)".
- Command (commanded) - to give an order or show control over people
- Demand (demanded) - to say or ask in a strong way
- Order (ordered) - to tell someone what to do in a commanding way
- Warn (warned) - to tell someone about a danger or a bad thing that might happen
Reporting RequestsWhen you want to report a request (something asked for), there are specific verbs that are used. The format for these commonly-used reporting verbs is "reporting verb + person spoken to + for + object".
- Ask (asked) - to say in a form of a question; to request something
- Beg (begged) - to ask or state in a serious or desperate way for something needed or wanted
Reporting SuggestionsWhen you want to report a suggestion (an idea or plan to think about), there are specific verbs that are used. The format for these commonly-used reporting verbs is "reporting verb + person spoken to + to/that + clause".
- Advise (advised) - to suggest what should be done in a certain situation
- Propose (proposed) - to suggest an idea or plan
- Suggest (suggested) - to give an idea or advice for people to think about
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1) "Do your homework!"
My parents __________ me to do my homework.
a. asked
b. told
2) "You should get a lawyer as soon as possible!"
My friend __________ me to get a lawyer as soon as possible.
a. begged
b. advised
3) "Put your hands up!"
The police officer __________ everyone to put their hands up.
a. ordered
b. suggested
4) "May I have a glass of water, please?"
I __________ for a glass of water.
a. asked
b. proposed
5) "Please have mercy on me. This was my first offense."
The defendant __________ the judge for leniency.
a. commanded
b. begged
6) "There is a big storm coming!"
The weatherman __________ people that a storm was coming.
a. warned
b. commanded
Directions: Is the sentence an order, request, or suggestion?
1) He told me to get out of his house.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
2) I demanded that she give me back my money.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
3) The customer asked for another cup of coffee.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
4) She proposed to her team that they get an early start.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
5) The doctor advised his patient to get surgery soon.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
6) He demanded to see the manager right away.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
7) The child begged for another piece of candy.
a. a request
b. an order
c. a suggestion
Quiz 1 Answers
1) b. told
2) b. advised
3) a. ordered
4) a. asked
5) b. begged
6) a. warned
Quiz 2 Answers
1) b. an order
2) b. an order
3) a. a request
4) c. a suggestion
5) c. a suggestion
6) b. an order
7) a. a request
 |  |
