转述指令和要求
当我们想要转述一个指令或要求时，可以用 tell 之类的动词并接 to 子句：He told me to go away. 句型是动词 + 间接受词 + to 子句。间接受词是指说话者的谈话对象。而其他用来转述指令和要求的动词有：command丶order丶warn丶ask丶advise丶invite丶beg丶teach 和 forbid。
举例
| 直述句 | 转述句 |
|---|---|
| The doctor said to me, "Stop smoking!". | The doctor told me to stop smoking. |
| "Get out of the car!" said the policeman. | The policeman ordered him to get out of the car. |
| "Could you please be quiet," she said. | She asked me to be quiet. |
| The man with the gun said to us, "Don't move!" | The man with the gun warned us not to move. |
要求某物
在要求某物时，转述句会用 "asked for" + 物体之句型。
举例
| 直述句 | 转述句 |
|---|---|
| "Can I have an apple?", she asked. | She asked for an apple. |
| "Can I have the newspaper, please?" | He asked for the newspaper. |
| "May I have a glass of water?" he said. | He asked for a glass of water. |
| "Sugar, please." | She asked for the sugar. |
| "Could I have three kilos of onions?" | He asked for three kilos of onions. |
建议
在转述建议时，会使用动词 suggest丶insist丶recommend丶demand丶request 和 propose，并接 that 子句。而在这些子句中，that 和 should 可以省略，如下面前两个例子所示。要注意，如果要去掉动词的间接受词（也就是听取建议的人），suggest丶recommend 和 propose 后可接动名词。如此会让建议的语气更有礼貌。这种动名词的用法在下面第四和第五个例子有示范。
举例
| 直述句 | 转述句 |
|---|---|
| She said, "Why don't you get a mechanic to look at the car?" |
She suggested that I should get a mechanic to look at the car. 或 She suggested I should get a mechanic to look at the car. 或 She suggested that I get a mechanic to look at the car. 或 She suggested I get a mechanic to look at the car. |
| "Why don't you go to the doctor?" he said. |
He suggested I go to the doctor. 或 He suggested that I go to the doctor. 或 He suggested I should go to the doctor.或 He suggested that I should go to the doctor. |
| "It would be a good idea to see the dentist", said my mother. | My mother suggested I see the dentist. |
| The dentist said, "I think you should use a different toothbrush". | The dentist recommended using a different toothbrush. |
| You said, "I don't think you have time to see the dentist this week." | You suggested postponing my visit to the dentist. |
| I said, "I don't think you should see the dentist this week." | I suggested postponing your visit to the dentist. |
| My manager said, "I think we should examine the budget carefully at this meeting." | My manager proposed that we examine the budget carefully at the meeting. |
| "Why don't you sleep overnight at my house?" she said. | She suggested that I sleep overnight at her house. |