Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Turn direct orders into polite reports by using a reporting verb, an object, and a 'to-infinitive'.
- Use 'tell' for commands and 'ask' for 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 doctor told me NOT to smoke.'
Overview
“Close the door!”（关门！）转化为 “He told me to close the door.”（他让我关门。）。这种转换不仅改变了句式，更改变了语气的强度和交流的焦点。在 C1 级别，我们需要关注的不再仅仅是 tell 或 ask 这种基础动词，而是要学会利用一系列具有细微差别（Nuance）的转述动词（Reporting Verbs），如 urge（催促）、implore（哀求）或 instruct（指示），来精准还原原始语境中的情感色彩和权威程度。Object + to-infinitive 结构高度相似。然而，英语中特有的 to 不定式符号、时态的后移（Backshift）以及否定词 not 的位置，往往是我们在追求母语级表达时的“绊脚石”。本指南将深入探讨这一语法的进阶用法，助你跨越中英表达的鸿沟。to 的连接词。而在英语中，结构必须是：Reporting Verb + Object + to-infinitive。这里的 to-infinitive（动词不定式）充当了宾语补足语，用以说明命令或请求的具体内容。“Submit the report now!”，用 ordered 比用 told 更能体现出上级对下级的威严；如果原话是 “Please, please help me,” 那么 begged 或 implored 则比 asked 更能体现出那种紧迫感。to do 本身没有时态变化，但转述动词通常需要根据转述发生的时间进行调整。例如：- 直接引语：
“Wait here!”（现在） - 间接引语：
She told me to wait there.（过去转述）
here 变成了 there，指示代词 this 往往变成 that。这种时空维度的转换是英语思维中“客观化”的重要体现。*“She told to wait,” 而必须说 “She told *me* to wait.”。The manager |instructed |the staff |to attend / not to miss |the meeting |- 中性/通用 (Neutral):
tell: 最常用的转述。“He told me to call him back.”ask: 用于礼貌的请求。“She asked the waiter to bring some water.”- 权威/正式 (Authoritative):
order / command: 强力命令。“The officer ordered the soldiers to fire.”instruct: 给出具体的指示，常用于职场或教学。“The manual instructs users to plug in the device first.”direct: 正式的指引。“The board directed the CEO to cut costs.”- 劝诱/建议 (Persuasive/Advisory):
advise: 专业的建议。“The consultant advised the company to rebrand.”urge: 强力敦促。“The doctor urged him to quit smoking immediately.”encourage: 鼓励。“My mentor encouraged me to apply for the scholarship.”- 情感/恳求 (Emotional):
beg / implore: 带有强烈情感的哀求。“The refugees implored the authorities to grant them asylum.”entreat: 郑重且诚恳的请求。- 警告/禁止 (Warning/Prohibitory):
warn: 警告不要做某事。“The lifeguard warned the children not to swim too far.”forbid: 正式禁止。“The law forbids citizens to carry weapons.”(注意：prohibit通常接from doing，这是 C1 常见的陷阱)。
“Don't touch!”）时，not 必须放在 to 之前：- 结构：
Reporting Verb + Object + NOT + to + Verb - 例子：
“Please don't tell anyone.”→She asked me *not to* tell anyone. - 注意： 绝对不要说
*to not tell*。虽然在口语中偶尔能听到，但在学术写作和正式场合中，not to是唯一正确的标准。
“Finish this by 5 PM!” 会显得非常生硬且缺乏专业度。使用转述结构可以缓冲语气，显得更客观：“The director instructed us to finalize the budget by the end of the day.”（总监指示我们在下班前定稿预算。）
“The marketing team asked me to remind you about the deadline.”（市场团队让我提醒你截止日期的事。）
“The marketing team said: 'Remind him!'”，这种写法更有外交辞令的风范。“The old man implored the traveler not to take the mountain path at night.”（老人哀求旅人不要在夜间走山路。）
The old man said, “Please don't take the path!” 更有文学深度。“The safety announcement told passengers to remain seated and not to open the doors.”（安全广播告知乘客保持就座，不要开门。）
- 错误：
*The teacher told to open the book.*(老师说打开书。) - 正确：
The teacher told us to open the book. - 解析： 在中文里，我们常说“老师说要开书”，省略了“对谁说”。但在英语中，
tell,ask,order等动词后必须紧跟一个宾语。这是典型的 L1 (母语) 负迁移。
not 的位置放错 (Misplaced 'not')- 错误：
*He told me to not go.*或*He told me not go.* - 正确：
He told me not to go. - 解析： 受到中文“叫我不要去”的影响，学习者容易把
not漏掉to或者放在to后面。记住口诀：“not 在 to 前，动作在后”。
say 和 tell (Confusing 'say' and 'tell')- 错误：
*He said me to help him.* - 正确：
He told me to help him.或He said to me to help him.(后者较少见且不地道)。 - 解析：
say后面不能直接加人称宾语再加to do。这是很多同学在高考甚至雅思考试中都会犯的基础错误。tell才是转述命令的“正宫娘娘”。
that 从句 (Overusing 'that' clauses)- 错误：
*She ordered that I should stay.*(虽然语法上没错，但在表达“命令”时，不如不定式简洁。) - 正确：
She ordered me to stay. - 解析： C1 级别的要求是简洁有力。虽然某些动词（如
suggest,insist）必须接that从句加虚拟语气，但对于order,tell,ask来说，to-infinitive结构是首选，也是最地道的表达方式。
say, claim, state | Subject + Verb + (that) + Clause | 传达一个事实或信息。 |tell, ask, order | Subject + Verb + Object + to do | 传达一个要求或指令。 |suggest, recommend | Subject + Verb + (Object) + doing / that...should | 传达一个提议（通常不接 to do）。 |suggest 的陷阱：*He suggested me to go.*。这是绝对错误的。suggest 后面要么接 doing，要么接 that 从句。对比：He told me to go.(√)He suggested that I should go.(√)He suggested me to go.(×)
Object + to do 吗？tell, ask, order, warn, instruct）都遵循这个模式，但有些动词如 suggest 或 prohibit 则有自己的特定用法。C1 学习者需要逐个记忆这些高级动词的搭配（Collocations）。“Could you please...?” 这种委婉的疑问句，转述时也要用 to do 吗？if/whether 结构，而是直接用 ask someone to do。例如：“Could you open the window?” → He asked me to open the window. 这比 He asked me if I could open the window 更直接、更常用。not to 和 to not 到底有什么区别？to 和动词原形是不应该被分开的。因此，not to do 是标准的、正式的。虽然现代口语中 to not do 越来越常见（用来强调否定），但在 C1 级别的考试或正式报告中，请务必坚持使用 not to do。tomorrow 变 the next day）？tomorrow 就必须变成 the next day 或 the following day，否则会产生严重的逻辑误解。Structure of Reported Commands
| Subject | Reporting Verb | Object | Infinitive (to + verb) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The teacher
|
told
|
the students
|
to open their books.
|
|
My friend
|
asked
|
me
|
to help him.
|
|
The boss
|
ordered
|
us
|
to finish the project.
|
|
She
|
warned
|
him
|
not to touch the wire.
|
|
I
|
begged
|
her
|
to stay.
|
|
The sign
|
instructs
|
visitors
|
to wait here.
|
Meanings
The grammatical structure used to relay instructions, orders, or requests made by someone else without using their exact words.
Direct Commands
Reporting a firm order or instruction where the speaker has authority.
“The officer ordered the suspect to put his hands up.”
“My boss told me to attend the meeting.”
Polite Requests
Reporting a request where the speaker is asking for a favor or cooperation.
“She asked the waiter to bring some water.”
“He requested the guests to remain seated.”
Urgent Advice or Warnings
Reporting a directive that functions as a warning or strong suggestion.
“The lifeguard warned us not to swim near the rocks.”
“The manual advises users to unplug the device before cleaning.”
Reference Table
| 直接命令 | Reporting Verb | 转述命令（肯定） | 转述命令（否定） |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Call me later!"
|
tell
|
She told me to call her later.
|
She told me not to call her later.
|
|
"Please help me."
|
ask
|
He asked me to help him.
|
He asked me not to bother him.
|
|
"Stop right there!"
|
order
|
The officer ordered them to stop.
|
The officer ordered them not to move.
|
|
"Study harder."
|
advise
|
My teacher advised me to study harder.
|
My teacher advised me not to procrastinate.
|
|
"Don't touch that."
|
warn
|
They warned us not to touch that.
|
They warned us not to go near the edge.
|
|
"Send the report."
|
request
|
The manager requested him to send the report.
|
The manager requested him not to delay the report.
|
正式程度
The chairperson requested that the observers vacate the chamber. (Evicting people from a space)
He asked everyone to leave the room. (Evicting people from a space)
He told us to get out. (Evicting people from a space)
He was like, 'Yo, clear out.' (Evicting people from a space)
转述命令与请求流程图
核心结构
- 主语 Reporter
- 转述动词 tell, ask, order...
- 宾语 Person addressed
- (not) to + 动词原形 The command/request
关键动词
- tell Neutral instruction
- ask Polite request
- order Strong command
- advise Recommendation
- warn Caution
使用场景
- 礼貌 Softening direct orders
- 转达信息 Sharing instructions
- 正式场合 Professional communication
- 避免直接 Less confrontational
转述命令 vs. 转述陈述
转述命令/请求：快速指南
这是直接命令或请求（祈使句）吗？
你的转述动词是否有明确的“宾语”（被告知者）？
原始命令是肯定的还是否定的？
你在 'to' 后面使用了动词原形吗？
转述动词能力升级
中性指示
- • tell me to...
- • remind them to...
- • instruct her to...
请求/建议
- • ask him to...
- • advise us to...
- • encourage me to...
强命令/警告
- • order them to...
- • warn us not to...
- • forbid her to...
说服/恳求
- • urge them to...
- • beg me to...
- • implore him to...
按水平分级的例句
He told me to go.
He told me to go.
She asked me to help.
She asked me to help.
The teacher told us to listen.
The teacher told us to listen.
Mom told me to eat.
Mom told me to eat.
The doctor told him not to smoke.
The doctor told him not to smoke.
I asked her to open the window.
I asked her to open the window.
He told them to be quiet.
He told them to be quiet.
She asked me not to tell anyone.
She asked me not to tell anyone.
The police officer ordered the driver to stop.
The police officer ordered the driver to stop.
My boss warned me not to be late again.
My boss warned me not to be late again.
They begged us to stay for dinner.
They begged us to stay for dinner.
The sign instructed visitors to keep off the grass.
The sign instructed visitors to keep off the grass.
The coach encouraged the players to keep trying.
The coach encouraged the players to keep trying.
She forbade her children to watch that movie.
She forbade her children to watch that movie.
The guide urged the tourists to stay together.
The guide urged the tourists to stay together.
He reminded me to bring my passport.
He reminded me to bring my passport.
The diplomat implored the nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
The diplomat implored the nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
The court summoned the defendant to appear on Tuesday.
The court summoned the defendant to appear on Tuesday.
The board petitioned the CEO to reconsider the layoffs.
The board petitioned the CEO to reconsider the layoffs.
The general commanded the troops to retreat immediately.
The general commanded the troops to retreat immediately.
The priest adjured the witness to tell the absolute truth.
The priest adjured the witness to tell the absolute truth.
The treaty enjoined the signatories to uphold human rights.
The treaty enjoined the signatories to uphold human rights.
She was to be instructed to vacate the premises by dawn.
She was to be instructed to vacate the premises by dawn.
The king decreed his subjects to pay a new tax.
The king decreed his subjects to pay a new tax.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'say' with an object and infinitive, which is incorrect.
Learners try to use 'suggest' with an object + infinitive.
Confusing the verb 'advise' with the noun 'advice' in reported speech.
常见错误
He told to me go.
He told me to go.
She said me to wait.
She told me to wait.
He told me go.
He told me to go.
I asked him for help me.
I asked him to help me.
He told me to not smoke.
He told me not to smoke.
The teacher told that we sit down.
The teacher told us to sit down.
She asked to me to help.
She asked me to help.
He suggested me to go.
He suggested that I go.
They ordered to the soldiers to fire.
They ordered the soldiers to fire.
He demanded me to leave.
He demanded that I leave.
The law forbids to smoke here.
The law forbids smoking here / forbids people to smoke here.
句型
My boss ___ me to ___.
The doctor ___ him not to ___.
The authorities ___ the public to ___.
Real World Usage
Sarah told me to tell you to bring the snacks.
My previous supervisor encouraged me to take the lead on the project.
The specialist advised me not to lift anything heavy for a week.
The crew requested all passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
The officer ordered the driver to step out of the vehicle.
And then she literally asked me to delete the photo!
选对动词很重要
advised 比 ordered 听起来更像是建议，而不是命令。 My teacher advised me to review my notes.（老师建议我复习笔记。）
宾语不能少！
She told *me* to call.，而不是
She told to call。漏了宾语，句子就错了！
间接反馈的利器
The manager asked us to collaborate on the new project.（经理让我们合作开展新项目。）
英语中的礼貌艺术
Could you please close the door?变成
He asked me to close the door.就更客气了。
否定命令要掌握
She told me not to forget my keys.（她告诉我不许忘钥匙。）直到感觉自然。
Smart Tips
Default to 'tell' for orders and 'ask' for requests. They are never wrong in neutral contexts.
Think of 'not to' as a single unit that cannot be separated.
Never use 'suggested me to'. Use 'suggested that I' or 'suggested -ing'.
Use 'instruct' or 'direct' to sound professional in emails.
发音
Stress on the Reporting Verb
The reporting verb (told, asked, warned) usually carries the most stress to emphasize the intent.
Reduction of 'to'
In natural speech, 'to' is often reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Falling intonation on the command
He told me to ↘wait.
Conveys the finality of the instruction.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'T.O.T': Tell + Object + To. It's the 'tot'al way to report a command!
视觉联想
Imagine a puppet master (the speaker) pulling strings (the reporting verb) to make a puppet (the object) perform an action (the to-infinitive).
Rhyme
When they say 'Go!', you say 'He told me to go.' / When they say 'No!', you say 'He told me not to go.'
Story
A king (Subject) gave a scroll (Reporting Verb) to a messenger (Object) with a map (to-infinitive) showing where to go. The messenger told the villagers to follow the map.
Word Web
挑战
Look at three signs in your neighborhood (e.g., 'No Parking', 'Push', 'Wait here') and report them out loud using different verbs.
文化笔记
British speakers often use 'shall' or 'should' in reported directives to sound more polite or formal, e.g., 'He said that I should wait.'
American English frequently uses the mandative subjunctive for formal commands, especially with 'insist' or 'demand'.
In modern tech companies, direct commands are often reported as 'suggestions' or 'asks' to sound less hierarchical.
The use of the infinitive to report commands dates back to Old English, where the infinitive was used to express purpose or result after verbs of bidding or commanding.
对话开场白
What did your parents always tell you to do when you were a kid?
If you were a king or queen for a day, what would you order your subjects to do?
Tell me about a time a boss or teacher urged you to do something difficult.
What have the authorities recently instructed citizens to do regarding the environment?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The coach advised the players ___ warm up before the game.
My mom told don't stay out late.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesShe warned me ___ ___ ___ the stove.
Choose the best option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The boss suggested me to work late.
He told me...
1. 'Get out!' 2. 'Could you help?' 3. 'Don't go there, it's dangerous.'
A: What did the doctor say? B: He ___ me ___ more water.
Sort the verbs:
not / the / to / told / teacher / us / talk
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe librarian ___ me to keep quiet in the reading room.
The teacher told students to studying harder for the final.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El jefe me dijo que enviara el email.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the direct commands with the start of their reported forms:
The sign ___ drivers ___ (slow) down.
Which of these sentences contains a grammatical error?
Choose the most polite option:
Translate the reported command into English: 'Nos aconsejó que no bebiéramos el agua.'
Rearrange the words to make a meaningful sentence:
Score: /11
常见问题 (8)
Not directly with an infinitive. You can't say `He said me to go`. You must use `tell` or use a 'that' clause with `say`, like `He said that I should go`.
It's a 'split infinitive'. While common in casual English, it's technically better to say `not to go` in formal writing and exams.
Yes, for verbs like `tell`, `ask`, `order`, and `warn`, the person being spoken to must be mentioned.
`Ask` is neutral and common. `Request` is formal and often used in business or official contexts.
Use a plural object like `them` or `us`. Example: `The coach told them to run`.
Yes. `She forbade him to leave`. Note that `forbid` is quite formal and the past tense is `forbade`.
You can use a general object like `people` or `everyone`, or use a passive structure: `Visitors are instructed to wait`.
Yes. If you are reporting a past command, use `told`. If you are reporting a general rule, you can use `tells` or `instructs`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir que + subjunctive
English uses an infinitive; Spanish uses the subjunctive.
dire de + infinitive
French requires the preposition 'de' before the infinitive.
sagen + zu + infinitive
German places the infinitive at the very end of the sentence.
youni iu
Japanese uses a completely different particle-based structure.
amara bi + infinitive / an + subjunctive
Arabic often requires a specific preposition depending on the reporting verb.
rang / jiao
Chinese has no 'to' particle and no tense changes.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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