Reported questions and commands

Report questions with statement word order and report instructions with tell or ask plus an infinitive.

When do we use it?

Transform basic questions and commands without retaining question word order.

Form

Use asked + if/question word + statement order and told/asked + object + to-infinitive.

• She asked where I lived.
• He asked if I was ready.
• They told us to wait.

Key contrast

Read the whole context and identify the time, meaning, noun type or sentence structure before choosing.

Common mistakes

• She asked where did I live. → She asked where I lived.
• He told to me wait. → He told me to wait.

Remember

Report questions with statement word order and report instructions with tell or ask plus an infinitive.

Quick check

• Find the grammar clue.
• Check the subject and verb form.
• Confirm that the answer fits both structure and meaning.