Reported Commands and Orders in English With Easy Urdu Explanation

Reported Commands in English: Rules, Examples, and Easy Explanation

Reported Commands 

📘 Introduction

In English grammar, we often need to report what someone told or ordered us or others to do. These are called Reported Commands or Reported Imperatives. Instead of using quotation marks (direct speech), we rewrite the command in indirect speech or reported form. Understanding how to report commands is important in both written and spoken English—and it's surprisingly simple once you learn the rules.

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🔁 What is a Reported Command?

A reported command is when we tell someone what another person ordered, instructed, or asked someone to do.

رپورٹ کردہ کمانڈ وہ ہے جب ہم کسی کو بتاتے ہیں کہ کسی دوسرے شخص نے کیا حکم دیا، ہدایت کی یا کسی کو کرنے کو کہا۔

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🛠 Structure of Reported Commands / Orders

➤ Basic Formula:

Subject + told / ordered / asked + object + to + base verb

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
He said, “Sit down.”	He told me to sit down.

➤ Negative Command Formula:

Subject + told / ordered / asked + object + not to + base verb

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
She said, “Don’t go outside.”	She told me not to go outside.

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✏️ Examples with Urdu Translation

Direct Speech (اصل جملہ)	Reported Speech (Indirect)	Urdu Translation (اردو ترجمہ)
He said, “Open the window.”	He told me to open the window.	اُس نے مجھے کھڑکی کھولنے کو کہا۔
She said, “Don’t cry.”	She told him not to cry.	اُس نے اسے رونے سے منع کیا۔
The teacher said, “Write your name.”	The teacher ordered us to write our names.	اُستاد نے ہمیں اپنا نام لکھنے کا حکم دیا۔
My father said, “Be honest.”	My father told me to be honest.	میرے والد نے مجھے ایماندار بننے کو کہا۔
The doctor said, “Take this medicine.”	The doctor told me to take the medicine.	ڈاکٹر نے مجھے دوا لینے کو کہا۔
The policeman said, “Stop here.”	The policeman ordered us to stop there.	پولیس والے نے ہمیں وہیں رکنے کا حکم دیا۔
Mom said, “Don’t eat junk food.”	Mom told me not to eat junk food.	امی نے مجھے جنک فوڈ نہ کھانے کو کہا۔

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🧠 Verbs Commonly Used in Reporting Commands

Here are some verbs we commonly use instead of just “said”:

Verb	Usage	Urdu Meaning
told	General instructions	کہا / ہدایت دی
ordered	Stronger command	حکم دیا
asked	Polite request	درخواست کی
warned	Cautionary command	خبردار کیا
advised	Suggestive command	مشورہ دیا

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📌 Important Rules for Reporting Commands

✅ Rule 1: Use "to + verb" for positive commands

Example:

• Direct: He said, “Work hard.”
• Reported: He told me to work hard.
• Urdu: اُس نے مجھے سخت محنت کرنے کو کہا۔

❌ Rule 2: Use "not to + verb" for negative commands

Example:

• Direct: She said, “Don’t lie.”
• Reported: She told me not to lie.
• Urdu: اُس نے مجھے جھوٹ نہ بولنے کو کہا۔

📍 Rule 3: Change in pronouns

Always change the pronouns according to the subject and object.

Direct	Reported
He said to me, “Help me.”	He told me to help him.

🕓 Rule 4: No tense backshift needed

Since imperatives don’t use tenses, we don’t change the tense while reporting them.

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📝 More Example Sentences (with Urdu)

Direct Command	Reported Command	Urdu
“Close the door,” he said.	He told me to close the door.	اُس نے مجھے دروازہ بند کرنے کو کہا۔
“Don’t run,” the teacher said.	The teacher told us not to run.	اُستاد نے ہمیں دوڑنے سے منع کیا۔
“Wait outside,” she said.	She told me to wait outside.	اُس نے مجھے باہر انتظار کرنے کو کہا۔
“Turn off the lights,” dad said.	Dad told me to turn off the lights.	ابو نے مجھے لائٹس بند کرنے کو کہا۔
“Call me later,” he said.	He asked me to call him later.	اُس نے مجھے بعد میں فون کرنے کو کہا۔
“Don’t disturb me,” she said.	She told me not to disturb her.	اُس نے مجھے تنگ نہ کرنے کو کہا۔

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🤓 Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct
He told me open the door.	He told me to open the door.
She said me to sit down.	She told me to sit down.
He told me don’t be late.	He told me not to be late.

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🧩 Practice Exercise

Try converting these direct commands into reported speech:

1. She said, “Help your brother.”
2. The officer said, “Don’t move.”
3. My mom said, “Clean the room.”
4. The teacher said, “Don’t talk in class.”
5. He said, “Call the doctor.”

✅ Write your answers in the comments section below!

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📚 Conclusion

Understanding Reported Commands and Orders helps us express instructions more naturally in English. Whether you're narrating a story, giving instructions, or writing dialogue, using these structures will make your English sound fluent and accurate.

✨ Always remember:

• Use to + base verb for positive commands.
• Use not to + base verb for negative commands.
• Choose the right reporting verb (told, ordered, asked, etc.).