Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To report a 'don't' command, use 'not to' + the verb after the person being told.
- Replace 'don't' with 'not to' (e.g., 'Don't go' becomes 'not to go').
- Always include the person being told (e.g., 'He told ME not to...').
- Use reporting verbs like 'told', 'asked', or 'warned' to set the tone.
Overview
not to + 动词原形。这在中文里其实非常直观，因为中文没有复杂的动词变位，我们通常通过在动词前加“不要”、“别”来表示。但在英语中，我们需要通过 reporting verb（转述动词）加上 object（宾语），再接 not to 来实现。为什么这很重要？因为在职场沟通（比如老板说 Don't be late）或日常社交（比如朋友说 Don't tell anyone）中，准确转述别人的意图能让你听起来更专业、更地道。中文里我们习惯用“他说不要……”直接连接，而英语必须遵循 Subject + Reporting Verb + Object + not to + Verb 的严谨逻辑。掌握这个结构，能让你从简单的“直接引语”跳脱出来，学会用更连贯、更有逻辑的叙述方式来表达信息。Don't do it!）转化为不定式（Infinitive）的否定形式。在中文里，我们没有不定式（Infinitive）的概念，我们直接用“动词+宾语”结构。例如中文说“他告诉我不去”，这里的“去”没有形式变化。但在英语里，tell、ask、warn 等动词后面必须接 someone（宾语），然后再接 not to。这个 not to 是一个固定搭配，无论前面的主语是 he、she 还是 they，它永远保持不变。这与中文的“不要”非常相似，但英语的强制性在于它必须紧跟在宾语之后。这种结构不仅是为了转述，更是为了体现英语中“转述动词”的丰富性。比如 warn（警告）比 tell（告诉）语气更重，advise（建议）则更委婉。这就像我们在微信里给老板发消息，用“嘱咐”还是“命令”，语境完全不同。通过 not to 结构，你可以清晰地把对方的指令传达出来，而不需要引号，让句子显得更像是一个完整的陈述句（Declarative Sentence）。主语 + 转述动词 + 宾语 + not to + 动词原形。He, She, The teacher |told, asked, warned, advised |me, him, us, the students |not to |go, eat, speak, worry |- 1直接引语:
“Don't open the door!”-> 转述:He told me not to open the door. - 2直接引语:
“Please don't smoke here.”-> 转述:She asked us not to smoke there. - 3直接引语:
“Don't forget your password.”-> 转述:The manager reminded me not to forget my password.
The librarian told us not to talk loudly.。其次是转述警告，当你提醒朋友不要重蹈覆辙时，比如 My friend warned me not to trust that website.。再者是转述建议，比如医生给的医嘱，The doctor advised me not to eat too much sugar.。在职场中，当你需要委婉地传达上级的指令时，用这个结构非常得体，因为它把责任归结于“上级”，而不是你个人的意见。这在处理职场冲突时是一种非常有效的沟通技巧，能够减少直接对抗感。- 1误用
don't或didn't：很多中国学生习惯说He told me don't go.这是典型的母语负迁移（L1 Interference），因为中文习惯说“他告诉我不要去”。但英语中，tell后面必须接不定式，不能直接接否定句。改正：He told me not to go. - 2遗漏宾语：中文里可以省略宾语，比如“他警告不要乱跑”，但在英语中
warn等动词必须有对象。改正：He warned me not to run around. - 3动词形式错误：有些学生会在
not to后面加-ing形式，受中文动词无时态变化的影响。记住，to后面必须是动词原形（Base form）。改正：She asked me not to wait.而不是not to waiting. - 4
forbid的误用：forbid本身已有否定含义，不能再加not。改正：The teacher forbade us to leave.而不是forbade us not to leave.
tell sb. to do | 告诉某人做某事 | He told me to study. |tell sb. not to do | 告诉某人不要做某事 | He told me not to study. |say that + clause | 说（某事） | He said that I should study. |- 1问：
not to的位置可以改变吗？
not 必须放在 to 前面。这是固定语法规则。- 1问：所有的转述动词后面都要加人吗？
tell, ask, warn, advise 在这种结构下都是及物动词，必须接宾语。- 1问：如果直接引语里有
please怎么办？
asked 来体现礼貌，不需要再翻译 please，因为 asked 已经包含了礼貌的语感。2. Structure of Negative Reported Commands
| Reporting Verb | Object (Person) | Negative Particle | Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
told
|
me
|
not
|
to go
|
He told me not to go.
|
|
asked
|
him
|
not
|
to stay
|
She asked him not to stay.
|
|
warned
|
us
|
not
|
to touch
|
They warned us not to touch.
|
|
ordered
|
them
|
not
|
to move
|
The captain ordered them not to move.
|
|
begged
|
her
|
not
|
to cry
|
I begged her not to cry.
|
|
reminded
|
you
|
not
|
to forget
|
I reminded you not to forget.
|
Meanings
The structure used to relay a negative command, order, or request that someone else previously gave, without using their exact words.
Reporting a Direct Order
Used when someone in authority gives a firm instruction to stop or avoid an action.
“The police officer ordered the driver not to move.”
“My boss told me not to miss the deadline.”
Reporting a Polite Request
Used when someone asks nicely for an action to be avoided.
“She asked her roommate not to play loud music.”
“The librarian asked us not to talk so loudly.”
Reporting a Warning
Used when the instruction is for the person's safety or to avoid a negative consequence.
“The lifeguard warned the kids not to swim too far out.”
“My mom warned me not to walk home alone at night.”
Reference Table
| 直接命令 (Direct) | 转述动词 | 对象 (Object) | 转述后的命令 (Reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Don't run!"
|
told
|
us
|
He told us not to run.
|
|
"Do not feed the animals."
|
warned
|
visitors
|
The zookeeper warned visitors not to feed the animals.
|
|
"Please don't be late."
|
asked
|
her
|
He asked her not to be late.
|
|
"Don't worry about it."
|
advised
|
me
|
She advised me not to worry about it.
|
|
"Don't touch!"
|
ordered
|
him
|
The guard ordered him not to touch.
|
|
"Don't forget your keys."
|
reminded
|
them
|
I reminded them not to forget their keys.
|
|
"Don't smoke here."
|
forbade
|
them
|
The manager forbade them to smoke here.
|
正式程度
The supervisor instructed the employees not to disclose the password. (Workplace security)
The boss told us not to share the password. (Workplace security)
My boss said not to give out the password. (Workplace security)
Boss-man said: don't leak the pass. (Workplace security)
否定转述命令：'Not To' 公式
核心结构
- 主语 + 动词 She told
- 对象 me
- Not to not to
- 动词原形 forget
转述动词
- 告知 He told me
- 请求 She asked him
- 警告 They warned us
- 建议 I advised her
- 命令 The guard ordered them
常见错误
- Don't / Didn't 不能说 'told me don't'
- 动词形式错误 不能说 'not to going'
- 缺失对象 不能说 'warned not to'
直接命令 vs. 转述否定命令
转换否定转述命令的步骤
原话是否是否定命令（如 "Don't..."）？
是否有明确的听话人（对象）？
原话中是否有 'Don't' 或 'Do not'？
命令中的核心动词是什么？
何时使用否定转述命令
禁令
- • 规章制度
- • 法律条文
- • 禁区提示
警告
- • 安全隐患
- • 潜在风险
- • 不良后果
建议
- • 推荐做法
- • 负面建议
- • 指导意见
请求
- • 礼貌拒绝
- • 正式呼吁
- • 委婉请求
按水平分级的例句
He told me not to go.
She told him not to cry.
The teacher told us not to talk.
Mom told me not to eat the cake.
The doctor told her not to smoke.
I asked my friend not to be late.
The sign told us not to walk on the grass.
He warned me not to touch the oven.
The manager told the staff not to use the main elevator.
She begged him not to leave her alone.
The instructor warned us not to dive in the shallow end.
I told the kids not to make a mess in the living room.
The police ordered the protesters not to block the entrance.
The manual explicitly warns users not to open the battery compartment.
He advised me not to invest all my money in one stock.
The coach urged the players not to lose focus in the final minutes.
The judge admonished the witness not to speculate on the defendant's motives.
The treaty binds both nations not to develop nuclear weapons.
She cautioned her colleagues not to underestimate the competition.
The professor instructed the students not to cite Wikipedia in their final papers.
The board of directors petitioned the CEO not to proceed with the merger.
The document exhorts readers not to succumb to societal pressures.
He was strictly enjoined not to divulge the secret to anyone.
The guidelines implore visitors not to disturb the delicate ecosystem of the cave.
容易混淆
Learners often try to use 'that' clauses for commands.
Using 'say' with an object or 'tell' without one.
Using 'not' with 'forbid'.
常见错误
He told me don't go.
He told me not to go.
She said me not to eat.
She told me not to eat.
I told not to run.
I told them not to run.
He told me to not touch.
He told me not to touch.
The doctor asked me don't smoke.
The doctor asked me not to smoke.
He warned me to not go.
He warned me not to go.
She told to him not to wait.
She told him not to wait.
He suggested me not to go.
He suggested that I not go. / He told me not to go.
The sign said not to enter.
The sign told us not to enter.
He told me not to forgot.
He told me not to forget.
He forbade me not to go.
He forbade me to go.
句型
My ___ told me not to ___.
The ___ warned the ___ not to ___.
I would strongly advise you not to ___.
They were explicitly instructed not to ___.
Real World Usage
The safety officer told us not to enter the zone without a helmet.
I told you not to draw on the walls!
She told me not to post that video of her.
The doctor warned him not to exercise for two weeks.
The guide asked the group not to take photos inside the temple.
The officer ordered the suspect not to move his hands.
选对动词，语气更到位
He warned me not to touch it.
千万别用 Don't 或 Didn't
not to + 动词原形。比如：She told me not to cry.
一定要加个“对象”
I reminded him not to forget.
让语气更委婉
She advised me not to wait.
动词原形是关键
not to 后面必须紧跟动词原形（不带 to 的不定式）。别加 -ing 或 -ed 哦！比如：He told us not to stay.
Smart Tips
Cross out the 'Don't' in your mind and write 'Not To' immediately.
Check if the original sentence had 'Please'. If yes, use 'asked'. If no, use 'told'.
Imagine the person is a bridge. You can't get to the 'not to' without crossing the person first.
Avoid 'to not' (split infinitive). Keep 'not' and 'to' together as 'not to'.
发音
Stress on 'Not'
In negative reported commands, the word 'not' is usually stressed to emphasize the prohibition.
Reduction of 'to'
The word 'to' is often reduced to a schwa sound /tə/.
Falling Intonation
He told me not to ↘go.
Conveys a final, firm command.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'NOT TO' — the 'NOT' always comes first, just like you say 'NO' before you do anything else.
视觉联想
Imagine a big red 'X' (Not) standing in front of a 'To' sign. The 'X' blocks the path to the action.
Rhyme
When 'Don't' is what they said, put 'Not To' in your head.
Story
A boss tells an employee, 'Don't be late!' The employee goes home and tells his wife, 'My boss told me not to be late.' The wife then tells the kids, 'Your dad was told not to be late.' The chain of 'not to' keeps everyone on time.
Word Web
挑战
Look at the next 3 'Don't' signs you see (e.g., 'Don't walk', 'Don't smoke') and say them out loud as reported commands: 'The sign told me not to...'
文化笔记
In the UK, 'told' is very common, but 'asked' is used frequently even for firm commands to maintain a level of politeness.
Americans often use 'said not to' in informal speech, even though 'told me not to' is grammatically 'better'.
In global business English, using 'warned' or 'instructed' is preferred over 'told' to sound more precise and professional.
The use of the infinitive to report commands dates back to Old English, though the 'not to' word order became standardized in Middle English as the auxiliary 'do' (don't) developed.
对话开场白
What is something your parents always told you not to do when you were a kid?
Has a doctor ever warned you not to eat or drink something?
What did the flight attendant tell the passengers not to do during the flight?
If you were a boss, what would you tell your employees not to do?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The coach warned the players _____ late for practice.
Find and fix the mistake:
My sister told me don't touch her diary.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /4
练习题
8 exercisesThe teacher told the students ___ (not/talk) during the exam.
Find and fix the mistake:
He told me don't touch his phone.
The lifeguard ___ the children not to swim near the rocks.
She ___ me ___ late.
1. 'Don't smoke!' 2. 'Please don't wait.'
A: What did the boss say about the meeting? B: He told us ___.
A: He told me not to go. B: He told me to not go.
warned / not / the / us / to / fire / touch / man
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe sign instructed drivers _____ their engines in the parking lot.
My manager asked me don't forget the report.
Choose the correct sentence:
将这句话翻译成英语：'她建议他不要放弃。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
将直接否定命令与其正确的转述形式连线：
The police officer _____ anyone _____ the crime scene.
She reminded him not forgetting his keys.
Direct: "Please don't disturb me." Reported:
将这句话翻译成英语：'他们禁止我们在图书馆用手机。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
常见问题 (8)
Yes, but you must say 'said to me not to...' or just 'said not to...'. 'Told' is much more common and natural for commands.
No, it's a 'split infinitive'. It's very common in spoken English, but in formal writing or exams, 'not to' is the safer, more traditional choice.
If you don't want to mention the person, you can use 'said not to' or 'suggested not...ing'. For example: 'He said not to enter.'
Yes! Just like other reported speech, 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day' and 'here' becomes 'there'.
Usually, 'mustn't' in direct speech is reported as 'not to'. For example: 'You mustn't touch it' becomes 'He told me not to touch it.'
Use the verb 'asked'. For example: 'Please don't go' becomes 'He asked me not to go.'
No, it is always the base form (infinitive). You don't add -ed, -s, or -ing.
You can use 'instructed', 'admonished', 'enjoined', or 'cautioned'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Me dijo que no lo hiciera
English uses 'not to + verb', Spanish uses 'that + subjunctive'.
Il m'a dit de ne pas le faire
The word order 'ne pas' is almost identical to 'not to'.
Er sagte mir, es nicht zu tun
The verb moves to the end in German.
Suru-na to iwareta
Japanese keeps the negative command form inside a quote-like structure.
Amara-ni alla af'al
Arabic requires a specific particle and verb mood change.
Ta jiao wo bu yao zuo
Chinese does not have an infinitive 'to' marker.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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