Page 1 of 1 www.englishpractice.com – Learn and practice English online. Reporting promises, orders, requests etc Promises, orders, requests, advice and suggestions are reported with infinitives. We usually use a reporting verb like promise, command, order, agree, tell, offer, advice or suggest. Direct speech: ?Where do you live?' the stranger asked. Indirect speech: The stranger enquired where I lived. Direct speech: ?Call the first witness,' said the judge. Indirect speech: The judge ordered them to call the first witness. Direct speech: ?Be careful,' I told him. Indirect speech: I told him to be careful. Direct speech: ?Be quiet and listen to my words,' he said. Indirect speech: He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words. Direct speech: I told him, ?Think again.' Indirect speech: I advised him to think again. Grammar notes We do not use infinitive structures after suggest and say. Instead, we use that-clauses. Direct speech: I told him, ?Consult a doctor.' Indirect speech: I suggested that he should consult a doctor. (NOT I suggested him to consult a doctor.) Suggest can also be followed by an ?ing form. I suggested consulting a doctor. Direct speech: The policeman said, ?You must not park here.' Indirect speech: The policeman said that I must not park there. . practice English online. Reporting promises, orders, requests etc Promises, orders, requests, advice and suggestions are reported with infinitives. We usually use a reporting verb like promise,