Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To report a command, use a reporting verb like 'tell' or 'ask' followed by an object and a 'to-infinitive'.
- Use 'tell' for orders and 'ask' for polite requests: 'He told me to wait.'
- Always include the person being spoken to (the object): 'She asked *him* to help.'
- For negative commands, put 'not' before 'to': 'The teacher told us *not to* talk.'
Overview
Eat your vegetables!（吃你的蔬菜！）。当你后来告诉你的妹妹时，你会说：Mom told me to eat my vegetables.（妈妈告诉我吃蔬菜）。你不再是大喊大叫了；你是在转述。我们主要使用两个动词：tell 和 ask。我们用 tell 表示强硬的命令，用 ask 表示礼貌的请求。可以将其视为“冷静程度”的刻度。如果是老师说的，用 tell。如果是朋友请求帮忙，用 ask。你还需要将代名词如 me 改为 him 或 her。这很有道理，因为说话的人变了。这完全是视角的问题。如果你不改代词，事情很快就会变得混乱。你的朋友可能会认为你希望*他们*吃掉*你的*蔬菜。没人想要这种戏剧性的误会。How This Grammar Works
to 这个词之后，主要动词通常保持其原形。这被称为 infinitive（不定式）。这和你查字典时看到的词形是一样的。魔力发生在转述动词上。因为命令已经发生了，所以你要把那个动词变成过去时。所以 tell 变成 told，ask 变成 asked。你还需要一个“听者”。这就是接收命令的人。在句子 He told me to wait（他告诉我等待）中，me 就是听者。如果没有听者，句子会显得空洞而奇怪。这就像在群聊里发了消息却忘了点发送键。没人知道你在和谁说话！
Formation Pattern
told 或 asked。
to，后面跟着命令的原形（不定式）。
The coach（主语） + told（转述动词） + us（宾语） + to run（不定式）。
The coach told us to run.
Please open the window（请打开窗户），你只需去掉 please。asked 这个词已经为你完成了礼貌的工作。它就像是一个内置的礼貌过滤器。
When To Use It
My manager told me to finish the report.（我的经理告诉我完成报告）。它也非常适合总结 TikTok 的教程。The creator told us to mix the ingredients.（创作者告诉我们混合配料）。在谈论医生预约时，你也会用到它。The doctor asked me to sit down.（医生叫我坐下）。在游戏中向你的小队解释任务目标时也非常常见。The NPC told me to find the hidden key.（NPC 告诉我寻找隐藏的钥匙）。基本上，只要涉及指令，这就是你的首选工具。它高效且清晰，避免了尝试模仿某人声音或语气的尴尬。
Common Mistakes
to。人们经常说 He told me wait。这听起来非常像机器人。请永远记住 to 是连接句子的胶水。另一个错误是使用 said to。虽然在某些语境下技术上是可行的，但使用 told me to 要自然得多。在英语中，tell 总是需要一个宾语（一个人）。你不能只说 He told to go。你必须说 He told me to go。此外，不要改变第二个动词的时态。有些人尝试说 He told me to went。这是错误的。to 之后的动词总是保持简单原形。最后，注意那些代词！如果老板说 Bring me my coffee（给我拿咖啡），你转述为 He told her to bring him his coffee。如果你还用 me，你可能最后拿到了别人的浓缩咖啡。Contrast With Similar Patterns
I am hungry（我饿了）这样的陈述句，我们说 He said he was hungry。这里没有 to，而且时态会发生变化。间接命令是针对动作的，而不只是事实。此外，将其与建议（suggestions）进行对比。如果有人说 Let's go（让我们走吧），我们转述为 He suggested going。那使用的是 -ing 形式。命令要直接得多。He told us to go。这是友好的提议与直接指令之间的区别。把间接命令看作是转述的“老板模式”；它关乎*必须*或*应该*发生的事情。建议更像是“协作模式”。了解这些区别能让你听起来更像母语者，而不是翻译软件出的错。Quick FAQ
tell 和 ask，我还能用其他动词吗？order（命令）、remind（提醒）或 warn（警告）。this 改成 that 吗？Hold this（拿着这个），你转述为 He told me to hold that。Don't move（别动），该怎么办？not。He told me not to move。asked 总是礼貌的吗？The teacher told Sarah to study。如果有很多人参与，使用名字通常会更清晰。Structure of Reported Commands
| Reporting Verb | Object | Infinitive Marker | Action Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
|
told
|
me
|
to
|
go
|
|
asked
|
him
|
to
|
stay
|
|
ordered
|
them
|
to
|
stop
|
|
warned
|
us
|
not to
|
touch
|
|
advised
|
her
|
to
|
wait
|
|
reminded
|
you
|
to
|
call
|
Meanings
Reported commands are used to tell someone what another person ordered, requested, or advised someone else to do without using their exact words.
Direct Orders
Reporting a firm command or instruction from an authority figure.
“The police officer told the driver to pull over.”
“The captain ordered the soldiers to march.”
Polite Requests
Reporting a request where someone asked for a favor or help.
“She asked me to open the window.”
“The waiter asked us to wait a moment.”
Negative Commands (Prohibitions)
Reporting when someone was told NOT to do something.
“The doctor told him not to eat sugar.”
“The sign asked visitors not to touch the art.”
Reference Table
| 直接命令 | 转述动词 | 间接命令句 |
|---|---|---|
|
"Clean your room!"
|
told
|
He told me to clean my room.
|
|
"Please wait here."
|
asked
|
She asked him to wait there.
|
|
"Submit by Friday."
|
instructed
|
The boss instructed us to submit by Friday.
|
|
"Don't be late!"
|
warned
|
The teacher warned them not to be late.
|
|
"Read chapter 5."
|
advised
|
My tutor advised me to read chapter 5.
|
|
"Fire!"
|
ordered
|
The general ordered his troops to fire.
|
|
"Close the door."
|
requested
|
They requested her to close the door.
|
正式程度
The manager instructed the visitor to vacate the premises. (Workplace/Conflict)
He told the man to leave the room. (Workplace/Conflict)
He told him to get out. (Workplace/Conflict)
He told him to beat it. (Workplace/Conflict)
间接命令句：任务简报
核心要素
- 主语 Who reports it
- 转述动词 told, asked, ordered
- 对象 Who received the command
- to + 动词原形 The actual command
常用动词
- Tell General instruction
- Ask Polite request
- Order Strong command
- Advise Suggestion/recommendation
直接命令 vs. 间接命令
形成间接命令句的步骤
是命令还是请求？
谁收到了命令？
命令是肯定的还是否定的？
转述动词及其语气
普通
- • tell
- • say (间接)
礼貌
- • ask
- • request
强硬
- • order
- • instruct
警示
- • warn
- • remind
按水平分级的例句
He told me to come here.
She asked me to help.
The teacher told us to sit.
Dad told me not to cry.
The doctor told him to take the medicine.
I asked the waiter to bring some water.
She told her brother not to touch her phone.
The sign asked us not to smoke.
The manager told the staff to attend the meeting.
My friend advised me not to buy that expensive car.
The flight attendant asked the passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
He reminded me to lock the door before leaving.
The coach urged the players to keep practicing.
The police warned the protesters not to cross the line.
She encouraged her daughter to apply for the scholarship.
The contract requires the client to pay within thirty days.
The judge instructed the jury to disregard the last statement.
The CEO petitioned the board to reconsider the merger.
The manual explicitly forbids users to open the outer casing.
They implored the government not to cut funding for the arts.
The general enjoined his troops to maintain absolute silence.
The witness was cautioned not to speculate on the defendant's motives.
The decree mandated all citizens to register by the end of the month.
He was prompted to reconsider his resignation by the board's offer.
容易混淆
Learners often say 'He said me to go' because they confuse the two verbs.
Both give advice, but they use different structures.
Using 'that' for commands.
常见错误
He told me go.
He told me to go.
She told to me to wait.
She told me to wait.
He told to sit down.
He told me to sit down.
Teacher told don't talk.
The teacher told us not to talk.
I asked him that he help me.
I asked him to help me.
He told me to not smoke.
He told me not to smoke.
She said me to go.
She told me to go.
The doctor suggested me to rest.
The doctor suggested that I rest.
He warned me to not touch it.
He warned me not to touch it.
She asked to him to leave.
She asked him to leave.
He forbade me not to go.
He forbade me to go.
句型
My ___ told me to ___.
The ___ asked us not to ___.
I would advise you to ___ so that you can ___.
Despite the warning, he ___ them not to ___.
Real World Usage
My previous supervisor told me to manage the budget.
She asked me to pick her up at 8.
The nurse told me to wait in the lobby.
They asked me to open my bag.
The influencer told her followers to swipe up.
I asked the driver to leave the food at the door.
选对动词很重要
She asked me to help her.
别漏掉“对象”！
He told me to wait for him.
从日常请求开始练习
She asked me to pass the salt.
礼貌是关键
The manager asked me to join the meeting.
“任务简报”法
The coach ordered the team to run.
Smart Tips
Drop the word 'please' and use the verb 'ask'. It automatically conveys the politeness.
Stop! Don't use 'to'. Use '-ing' or 'that'.
Think of 'not to' as a single unit that can't be broken.
Replace 'told' with 'instructed' or 'reminded'.
发音
The 'to' reduction
In natural speech, the word 'to' is often reduced to a 'schwa' sound /tə/.
Linking 'told' and 'me'
The 'd' in 'told' often blends into the 'm' of 'me'.
Command Stress
He told me to STOP.
The main verb (the action) usually carries the most stress in the sentence.
记住它
记忆技巧
T.O.T: Tell + Object + To. Remember the 'TOT' to report what you've got!
视觉联想
Imagine a bridge. On one side is the speaker (Boss), in the middle is the listener (You), and the bridge itself is the word 'TO' leading to the action (Work).
Rhyme
When they say 'Do!', you say 'Told to'. When they say 'Don't!', use 'Not to' or you won't!
Story
A king ordered his knight to fight. The knight asked the king to wait. The queen warned the knight not to fail. This story uses all three forms: order, request, and warning.
Word Web
挑战
Look at the last 3 texts you received that asked you to do something. Rewrite them as reported commands starting with 'They asked me to...'
文化笔记
Politeness is highly valued. Even a command is often reported using 'asked' rather than 'told' to sound less aggressive.
Directness is common in workplace reporting. 'Told' is used frequently for clear delegation of tasks.
Reporting verbs like 'ordered' or 'commanded' are used strictly to reflect the hierarchy.
The use of the infinitive to report commands dates back to Old English, where the infinitive was used to express purpose or necessity after verbs of commanding.
对话开场白
What is the best piece of advice a teacher ever told you to do?
Think about your last doctor's visit. What did they tell you to do or not to do?
If you were a boss, what would you tell your employees to do every morning?
Tell me about a time a flight attendant or security guard asked you to do something unusual.
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
My mom told me ___ my room before dinner.
选择正确的句子：
Find and fix the mistake:
The teacher told studying harder.
翻译：'我朋友请我把充电器借给他。'
Answer starts with: ["M...
Score: /4
练习题
8 exercisesDirect: 'Don't touch the stove!' -> He told me ___ touch the stove.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The teacher asked that we to be quiet.
Direct: 'Please help me with my bags,' she said to him.
In reported commands, the main verb changes tense (e.g., 'go' becomes 'went').
A: What did the boss say? B: He ___.
'Stop!'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe coach ___ to run an extra lap.
选择正确的句子：
My doctor advised that I got more exercise.
将这些单词连成句子：
翻译成英语：'教授命令我们交出手机。'
将直接命令与其正确的转述形式匹配：
My coach ___ me to stay hydrated during the marathon.
The security guard told me not touching the exhibit.
将这些单词连成句子：
翻译成英语：'她请她的同事关上窗户。'
哪句话是正确的？
Score: /11
常见问题 (8)
No, you cannot use `say` with an object and an infinitive. You must use `tell` or `ask`. For example, 'He told me to go' is correct, but 'He said me to go' is wrong.
In formal writing, `not to` is the standard (e.g., 'He told me not to go'). In casual conversation, you will often hear `to not`, but `not to` is always safer and more correct.
Yes, with verbs like `tell`, `ask`, `remind`, and `warn`, you must specify who the command was given to.
You can use a passive structure like 'We were told to wait' or use a different verb like 'The order was given to wait'.
You don't need to include the word 'please'. Instead, use the verb `ask` to show that it was a polite request.
Only with specific verbs like `insist`, `demand`, or `suggest`, and the structure changes (e.g., 'He demanded that I leave'). For `tell` and `ask`, always use `to`.
The reporting verb can be in any tense (tells, told, will tell), but the action verb always remains in the `to-infinitive` form.
You can use `order`, `command`, `forbid`, `invite`, `encourage`, `remind`, and `warn`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir que + subjuntivo
English uses 'to + verb', Spanish uses 'that + subjunctive'.
dire de + infinitif
French requires the preposition 'de' before the infinitive.
sagen, ... zu + Infinitiv
The word order is different, with the infinitive usually at the very end.
〜ように言う (youni iu)
Japanese uses a particle 'youni' instead of an infinitive marker.
أمر أن (amara an)
Arabic requires a conjugated verb after 'an', not an infinitive.
让 (ràng) / 叫 (jiào)
There is no 'to' marker or change in verb form in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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