What are Reported Questions and Commands?
Reported questions and commands extend reported speech to non-statement forms. Direct questions use question word order ('Where are you?'); reported questions move to statement word order ('He asked where I was'). Commands become 'to + infinitive' in reported form ('Stop!' → 'She told him to stop'). Both follow tense backshift rules.
Reported questions use statement word order with 'if/whether' for yes-no questions ('Are you ready?' → 'She asked if I was ready'). Reported commands use 'tell/ask + infinitive' ('Close the door!' → 'He told me to close the door').
- 1↓Direct Question'Where did you go?' / 'Are you sure?'
- 2↓Identify TypeQuestion word (where) or yes-no (are)
- 3↓Move to Statement OrderI went → subject + verb. Use 'if/whether' for yes-no
- 4↓Apply Tense BackshiftPresent → past, past → past perfect
- 5Reported QuestionShe asked where I had gone. / He asked if I was sure.
Step-by-step worked examples
Report: 'What time is it?' using 'I asked...'
Direct question: 'What time is it?' (question order) Reported form: move to statement order + apply tense backshift Result: I asked what time it was.
Report: 'Have you finished?' using 'She asked...'
Yes-no question: use 'if' or 'whether' Tense: present perfect → past perfect Result: She asked if I had finished.
Report: 'Sit down!' as a command
Command: use 'tell' + to + infinitive Tense stays as infinitive (to sit) Result: She told him to sit down.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.'Where is he?' reported as...
Q2.'Have you seen it?' reported as...
Q3.Report 'Don't be late!' using 'She told...'
Q4.'Will you help me?' reported as...
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What are Reported Questions and Commands?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Keeping question order in reported form: 'Where did you go?' → 'He asked where did you go'. — Correct: Use statement order: 'He asked where you had gone'.
Forgetting to use 'if/whether' for yes-no questions. — Correct: Yes-no questions need 'if' or 'whether': 'Are you ready?' → 'She asked if I was ready'.
Using imperative in reported commands: 'He told me sit down'. — Correct: Use 'to + infinitive': 'He told me to sit down'.
Forgetting tense backshift in reported questions. — Correct: Apply the same tense rules: 'Are you here?' → 'She asked if I was here' (am → was).
FAQ
How do you report a question?
Use statement word order with 'if/whether' for yes-no, or a question word. Apply tense backshift.
What is the difference between 'if' and 'whether' in reported questions?
'If' and 'whether' both report yes-no questions. 'Whether' is slightly more formal. Both are grammatically correct.
How do you report a command?
Use 'tell/ask + object + to + infinitive'. Negative commands add 'not': 'She told him not to be late'.
Do pronouns change in reported questions and commands?
Yes, just like in statements. 'I' → 'he/she', 'you' → 'I'. Adjust based on speaker and listener.