Grammar B2 - Reporting Commands, Requests, and Specific Attitudes

The video outlines advanced techniques for reported speech, moving beyond simple tense changes to effectively convey commands, requests, and specific attitudes.

• Reporting Commands: When relaying a direct command, avoid repeating it exactly as stated. Instead, convert it into an infinitive phrase using the formula: speaker + listener + to + verb. For negative commands, insert "not" before the infinitive.
• Choosing Descriptive Verbs: While "said" and "told" are standard, they lack nuance. Using more specific verbs—such as "promise" for a commitment or "refuse" for a denial—provides a clearer, more accurate depiction of the original interaction.
• Verb Patterns: Sophisticated reporting verbs follow specific grammatical patterns:
  • Infinitive Pattern (to + verb): Verbs like "offer," "refuse," "agree," "promise," or "threaten" pair directly with an infinitive to point toward a future action. In this structure, the listener often does not need to be mentioned.
  • Gerund Pattern (-ing form): Verbs such as "suggest," "recommend," "deny," or "admit" prefer the "-ing" form. These are used when treating an action as a general concept or idea rather than a direct command to a specific individual.