B1 · 중급 챕터 2

Reporting Questions and Requests

4 총 규칙
46 예문
5 분
이 챕터의 규칙 빠른 연습

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of relaying questions and instructions with precision and confidence.

  • Convert direct questions into reported 'if' or 'wh-' structures.
  • Transform commands and requests into reported speech using infinitives.
  • Apply negative constraints correctly when passing on instructions.
Become the master of the message.

배울 내용

Get ready to confidently share exactly what was said! This chapter empowers you to accurately report questions, whether they started with 'why' or needed a simple 'yes/no,' and even what commands you heard. You'll be a conversation expert!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: relay yes/no questions accurately using 'if'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: report commands and negative instructions using infinitive structures.

챕터 가이드

Overview

Imagine effortlessly sharing an interesting conversation you had, relaying a friend's question, or explaining an instruction you received. That's exactly what you'll master in this chapter on English reporting questions and requests! As a B1 English learner, you're already navigating many situations, and this skill will significantly boost your ability to communicate indirectly and naturally.
It's about confidently conveying information without quoting someone word-for-word every time.
We're going to explore how to transform direct questions and commands into smooth, flowing reported speech. You'll learn the essential techniques for reported Yes/No questions using phrases like asked if, how to handle wh-questions like what or where by carefully changing word order and tense, and even how to report clear instructions with reported commands using
told/asked + someone + to + verb.
We'll also cover how to report negative instructions, like when someone tells you "Don't do that!" Get ready to become a conversation expert and connect your ideas more seamlessly!

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, reported speech is about turning someone else's direct words into your own sentence, often after some time has passed. This usually means making a few key changes to the verb tense and word order. Let's break down the rules for B1 English grammar:
When reporting Yes/No questions, the key is to use a reporting verb like asked followed by if or whether (they're often interchangeable) and then convert the question into a statement. The verb tense typically shifts one step back into the past. For instance, Are you busy? becomes
She asked if I was busy.
Notice how are (present) becomes was (past) and the subject-verb order flips from a question to a statement.
For wh-questions (what, where, why, when, how), we use the wh-word itself as the connector, but again, the question structure transforms into a statement, and the tense shifts.
Where do you live?
becomes
He asked where I lived.
The auxiliary do disappears, and live (present) becomes lived (past). The word order is crucial: wh-word + subject + verb.
Reporting commands is simpler and very common. We use a reporting verb like told or asked, followed by the person who received the command, and then to + base verb. Clean your room! becomes
Mom told me to clean my room.
If the command is negative, like "Don't touch that!, we simply add not before to + verb«: »He asked us not to touch that." These structures let you recount instructions clearly and naturally.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Forgetting to shift tense or word order in questions.
✗ She asked where do I live.
✓ She asked where I lived.
*Explanation: After the reporting verb, the reported question becomes a statement with past tense and statement word order (subject-verb).*
  1. 1Using a question mark or question word order in reported questions.
✗ He asked if was I going?
✓ He asked if I was going.
*Explanation: Reported questions are statements, so they end with a period and follow statement word order, even with 'if' or 'whether'.*
  1. 1Mixing up 'tell' and 'say' for commands, or omitting 'to'.
✗ He said me clean my room.
✓ He told me to clean my room.
*Explanation: Use 'told' or 'asked' followed by an object (the person receiving the command) and then 'to + verb' for reported commands.*

Real Conversations

A

A

"Did Sarah say she'd be here on time?"
B

B

I asked her if she would be here on time, and she said yes!
A

A

I wonder what time the movie starts.
B

B

"The receptionist told me what time the movie started when I called. It's at 7 PM."
A

A

"The teacher kept saying, 'Don't forget your homework!'"
B

B

Yes, she often reminds us. She told us not to forget our homework earlier.

Quick FAQ

Q

Do I always have to change the tense when reporting questions or commands?

Generally, yes, especially when the reporting verb (e.g., asked, told) is in the past tense. This is called backshift. However, if the reported information is still true or very recent, you might sometimes keep the present tense, though it's safer for B1 learners to practice backshift.

Q

Can I use 'whether' instead of 'if' for reported Yes/No questions?

Absolutely! Both if and whether are correct and often interchangeable when reporting Yes/No questions.

He asked if I liked coffee
is the same as
He asked whether I liked coffee.

Q

What's the main difference between tell and ask when reporting commands?

You use told when relaying an instruction or order, and asked when relaying a request. For example,

The boss told me to finish the report
implies an instruction, while
My friend asked me to help him move
implies a polite request.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use reported speech constantly in daily conversation to summarize, relay information, and avoid repeating exact words. While the grammatical rules are fairly consistent, the choice of reporting verb can convey nuance. For instance,
He advised me to...
is softer than
He told me to...
.
In more informal settings, people might sometimes skip strict backshifting if the information is very current, but sticking to the rules is best for clarity and B1 fluency. There are no significant regional differences in the core structure of reported questions and commands.

주요 예문 (8)

1

My friend asked if I was going to the party tonight.

친구가 오늘 밤 파티에 갈 거냐고 물어봤어요.

간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'
2

The interviewer inquired whether I had previous experience in marketing.

면접관이 마케팅 경력이 있는지 물어봤어요.

간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'
3

She asked `what I wanted` for dinner.

그녀는 저녁으로 제가 뭘 원하는지 물어봤어요.

간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)
4

He wanted to know `where the nearest coffee shop was`.

그는 가장 가까운 카페가 어디인지 알고 싶어 했어요.

간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)
5

My friend told me to send the funny meme.

친구가 나에게 웃긴 밈을 보내달라고 했어.

간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기
6

The instructor asked us to pair up for the exercise.

강사가 우리에게 운동을 위해 짝을 지으라고 요청했어요.

간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기
7

She told me not to open the package yet.

그녀는 나에게 아직 소포를 열지 말라고 했어요.

부정 간접 명령문: ~하지 말라고 (간접화법)
8

He asked us not to make any noise during the exam.

그는 시험 중에 시끄럽게 하지 말라고 부탁했어요.

부정 간접 명령문: ~하지 말라고 (간접화법)

팁과 요령 (4)

💡

시제 한 단계 뒤로!

질문을 전달할 때는 동사 시제를 한 단계 과거로 바꿔주는 걸 기억하세요. 현재 시제는 과거 시제로, 과거 시제는 과거완료 시제로, 'will'은 'would'로, 'can'은 'could'로요. 이걸 잘해야 훨씬 자연스럽게 들린답니다.
He asked if I worked there.
(원래는
Do you work here?
)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'
💡

뒤집지 않는 연습을 하세요!

Wh- 단어 다음에는 바로 '주어 + 동사'를 생각하세요. 속으로 'She asked what I wanted'라고 소리 내어 말하며 'what wanted I'가 아님을 익숙하게 만드세요.
She asked what I wanted.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)
💡

동사를 현명하게 선택하세요

어떤 동사를 쓰느냐에 따라 뉘앙스가 확 달라져요. 'asked'는 'told'보다 부드럽고, 'ordered'는 훨씬 강한 느낌을 줍니다. 원래 말한 사람의 의도에 맞는 동사를 고르세요:
The teacher asked us to be quiet.
(정중한 요청) vs.
The general ordered his soldiers to advance.
(강력한 명령)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기
💡

올바른 동사 선택

뉘앙스를 살려주는 동사를 고르세요. 정중한 부탁은 'asked', 경고는 'warned', 엄격한 명령은 'ordered', 추천은 'advised'를 써서 더 정확하게 전달할 수 있어요!
He asked me not to be late.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 부정 간접 명령문: ~하지 말라고 (간접화법)

핵심 어휘 (5)

Reported relayed speech Infinitive to + verb base Command an order Inquire to ask Instruction a direction

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Office Assistant

Review Summary

  • Asked + if + subject + verb
  • Asked + wh-word + subject + verb
  • Told/Ordered + someone + to + verb
  • Told + someone + NOT + to + verb

자주 하는 실수

In reported questions, do not use the auxiliary 'did'. The word order must be statement order, not question order.

Wrong: He asked me did I like it.
정답: He asked me if I liked it.

The 'not' must come before the 'to'. Placing it after is a common syntax error.

Wrong: She told me to not go.
정답: She told me not to go.

We use 'told' with an object (me, him, her), but 'said' is not followed by an object in this structure.

Wrong: He said me to leave.
정답: He told me to leave.

Next Steps

You have mastered a very difficult area of English grammar. Keep practicing in your daily conversations!

Rewrite a local news story using reported speech

Continue to: Talking About Life Experiences

빠른 연습 (10)

간접 명령문에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

My sister told me don't touch her diary.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My sister told me not to touch her diary.
부정 간접 명령문의 올바른 구조는 '보고 동사 + 목적어 + not to + 동사원형'이에요. 'Don't'는 직접 명령문에만 사용해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 부정 간접 명령문: ~하지 말라고 (간접화법)

전달 질문에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

He asked if was I ready for the presentation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He asked if I was ready for the presentation.
전달 질문은 평서문 어순(주어+동사)을 따라야지, 질문 어순을 따르지 않아요. 'I was'가 맞고, 'was I'는 틀려요. 또한, 시제는 'am'(직접 질문에 암시된)에서 'was'로 한 단계 과거로 바뀌어야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'

전달된 질문을 완성하기 위해 올바른 형태를 고르세요.

The teacher asked `what the answer ___` .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was
전달 동사 asked가 과거 시제이므로, 전달되는 질문 속 동사도 과거 시제(was)로 바뀌어요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)

간접 명령문을 완성하기 위해 올바른 형태를 고르세요.

The coach warned the players _____ late for practice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: not to be
부정 간접 명령문에서는 항상 'not to' 뒤에 동사원형을 사용해요. 'Don't be'와 'didn't be'는 간접 화법에서 올바르지 않아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 부정 간접 명령문: ~하지 말라고 (간접화법)

간접 명령문에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

The teacher told studying harder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The teacher told us to study harder.
여기에는 두 가지 실수가 있어요! 'told' 뒤에는 목적어(누구에게 말했는지?)가 필요하고, 'to' 뒤의 동사는 동사원형('study', 'studying' 아님)이어야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기

문법적으로 올바른 전달 질문을 선택하세요.

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She asked if I needed help.
Yes/No 질문을 전달할 때는 'that'이 아니라 'if'나 'whether'를 사용해요. 또한, 어순은 주어-동사 순서여야 하고, 질문 어순이 아니에요. 'Did I need help'는 간접화법에 틀린 구조예요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'

전달된 질문에서 오류를 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

He wondered why was she late?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He wondered why she was late.
전달된 질문에서는 Wh- 단어 뒤의 어순이 직접 질문처럼 뒤집히지 않고 '주어 + 동사' 순서(평서문 어순)여야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 의문문: Wh- 단어 사용하기 (무엇, 어디, 왜)

전달 질문을 완성하기 위해 올바른 형태를 선택하세요.

My mom asked if I ___ finished my homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had
직접 질문 'Have you finished?'는 현재완료 시제를 사용해요. 과거 시제의 보고 동사('asked')로 전달할 때 과거완료로 바뀌므로 'had finished'가 맞아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 예/아니오 질문: '~인지 물었다'

간접 명령문을 완성하기 위해 올바른 형태를 선택하세요.

My mom told me ___ my room before dinner.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to clean
간접 명령문은 목적어 뒤에 'to' + 동사원형을 사용해요. 'To clean'이 여기서는 올바른 부정사 형태예요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기

'Don't interrupt!' 명령문을 올바르게 전달한 문장은 무엇인가요?

올바른 문장을 고르세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She asked him not to interrupt.
부정 간접 명령문에서는 'to' + 동사원형 앞에 'not'을 붙여요. 'Not to interrupt'가 올바른 구조예요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 명령: 누군가에게 무엇을 하라고 말하기

Score: /10

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

상대방이 했던 Yes/No 질문을 다른 사람에게 전달할 때 쓰는 방식이에요. 예를 들어, Are you hungry?처럼 직접 인용하지 않고
He asked if I was hungry.
처럼 문장으로 바꿔서 말하는 거죠.
He asked if I was hungry.
보통 'if'와 'whether' 둘 다 Yes/No 질문을 전달할 때 사용할 수 있어요. 'whether'가 조금 더 격식 있는 느낌을 주거나
She asked whether I wanted coffee or tea.
처럼 명확한 선택지가 있을 때 사용하기도 해요.
She asked whether I wanted coffee or tea.
Wh- 단어(what, where, why 등)로 시작하는 직접 질문을 간접적으로 다른 사람에게 전달하는 방법이에요. 예를 들어,
He asked what I wanted
는 직접 질문
What do you want?
를 전달하는 거죠.
질문을 문장 속에 자연스럽게 녹여내어, 말을 더 유창하고 종종 더 공손하게 들리게 하려고 사용해요. 직접 묻는 것보다 정보를 전달하는 것에 가까워요.
간접 명령문은 다른 사람이 당신에게 하라고 말하거나 요청한 것을, 그 사람의 정확한 말을 인용하지 않고 전달하는 방식이에요. 예를 들어, '그가 '방 청소해!'라고 말했어.' 대신, 'He told me to clean my room.'이라고 말하는 거죠.
일반적으로 '주어 + 전달 동사 (예: 'told', 'asked') + 목적어 (명령을 받은 사람) + to + 동사원형' 순서로 만들어요. 예를 들어, 'She asked him to open the door.'처럼요.
이전 챕터
Repeating What People Said
다음 챕터
Talking About Life Experiences
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