Commands and requests
"Cultivating Cooperation: The Power of Commands and Requests"
The topic of commands and requests in English grammar involves understanding how to give orders or make requests in a polite or direct manner. Let’s break down each aspect:
1. **Commands**: Commands are sentences that are used to give direct orders or instructions. They are often expressed using imperative verbs, which are verbs that tell someone to do something. Commands are typically short and straightforward.
Example:
– “Close the door.”
– “Please pass me the salt.”
– “Sit down.”
Commands can also be phrased as requests but still carry the force of an order.
Example:
– “Could you please turn off the lights?”
– “Would you mind helping me with this?”
– “Please hand me that book.”
2. **Requests**: Requests are sentences used to ask someone to do something. Unlike commands, requests are usually more polite and can be formulated in various ways, including using modal verbs like ‘could’, ‘would’, or ‘can’, as well as polite expressions like ‘please’.
Example:
– “Could you please pass me the salt?”
– “Would you mind closing the window?”
– “Can you help me with my homework, please?”
Requests can also be more indirect, using questions or conditional structures.
Example:
– “Do you think you could lend me your notes?”
– “If it’s not too much trouble, could you pick up some milk on your way home?”
It’s important to note the tone and level of formality when using commands and requests. In formal situations or with people you’re not familiar with, it’s usually best to use polite language. In informal settings or with close friends and family, commands might be acceptable depending on the relationship. Additionally, adding “please” can significantly soften the tone of a request or command, making it more polite.
Commands
In English grammar, commands are a type of sentence that is used to give orders, make requests, or offer instructions. They are also known as imperative sentences. Commands are typically straightforward and direct, as they are intended to convey a sense of authority or urgency.
Here are some key points about commands in English grammar:
1. **Structure**: Commands often begin with a base form of the verb, which is also referred to as the bare infinitive. This means that the verb is not conjugated to agree with a subject. For example:
– “Close the door.”
– “Please sit down.”
– “Don’t touch that!”
2. **Punctuation**: Commands typically end with a period (full stop) but can also end with an exclamation mark for stronger emphasis or urgency. Question marks are not used in commands unless they are rhetorical questions used for emphasis.
– “Be quiet.”
– “Take out the trash!”
– “Pass me the salt, please.”
3. **Subject**: Commands often do not explicitly state the subject (the person or thing being commanded) because it is understood to be the person or people being addressed. However, in some cases, the subject may be included for emphasis or clarity.
– “You, go to your room.”
– “Children, listen to your teacher.”
4. **Politeness**: Commands can be polite or impolite depending on the context and the use of polite language such as “please” and “thank you.”
– “Please close the window.”
– “Could you please pass me the menu?”
– “Thank you for your cooperation.”
5. **Negative commands**: Negative commands are formed by adding “do not” or “don’t” before the base form of the verb.
– “Don’t forget to call me.”
– “Don’t touch that hot stove.”
6. **Use in everyday language**: Commands are commonly used in everyday language, whether it’s giving instructions, making requests, or providing guidance.
– “Start your homework.”
– “Please clean your room.”
– “Wait here for a moment.”
Understanding commands in English grammar is essential for effective communication, especially in situations where clarity and directness are required.
Requests
In English grammar, requests are expressions used to ask for something politely or make a plea for action. Requests are a form of communication that seeks assistance, cooperation, or permission from another person. They are generally formulated with polite language and often involve the use of modal verbs, such as “can,” “could,” “would,” “may,” or “please.”
Here are some key points about requests in English grammar:
1. **Structure**: Requests can be structured in various ways, but they typically involve a subject, a modal verb (or another polite expression), and the main verb. The main verb is often in the base form (bare infinitive).
– “Could you pass me the salt, please?”
– “Can you help me with this assignment?”
– “Would you mind opening the door?”
2. **Politeness**: Politeness is a crucial aspect of making requests. Polite language, such as “please” and “thank you,” is commonly used to soften the request and show respect for the person being asked.
– “Please send me the report by tomorrow.”
– “Would you mind turning down the volume, please?”
– “Could you please give me a hand with these boxes?”
3. **Modal verbs**: Modal verbs are often used to make requests because they convey a sense of politeness and deference. These modal verbs include “can,” “could,” “may,” and “would.”
– “May I borrow your pen?”
– “Could you speak a bit louder, please?”
– “Would you mind filling out this form?”
4. Requests can be direct or indirect: Direct requests explicitly ask for what is desired, while indirect requests imply what is desired without directly stating it.
– Direct request: “Please close the window.”
– Indirect request: “It’s chilly in here.”
5. **Responses to requests**: When responding to requests, people may use phrases such as “Sure,” “Of course,” “Certainly,” or “I’d be happy to,” to indicate willingness or agreement. In some cases, if the request cannot be fulfilled, polite refusals may be used.
– “Sure, I’ll help you with that.”
– “Of course, you can borrow my umbrella.”
– “I’m sorry, but I can’t make it to the meeting.”
6. **Context**: The context and relationship between the speaker and the listener influence the formality and tone of requests. Requests made to close friends or family members may be more casual, while requests made in professional or formal settings require more politeness and formality.
Understanding how to make requests politely and effectively is important for effective communication in various social and professional contexts.
Direct & indirect speech
In both direct and indirect speech, commands and requests can be conveyed, albeit with different structures and conventions.
**Direct Speech:**
In direct speech, the exact words spoken by someone are quoted within quotation marks. Commands and requests in direct speech maintain their original form.
1. Command in direct speech:
– **Direct Speech:** Sarah said, “Close the door.”
– **Explanation:** In direct speech, the command “Close the door” is quoted exactly as spoken by Sarah.
2. Request in direct speech:
– **Direct Speech:** John asked, “Can you pass me the salt, please?”
– **Explanation:** The request “Can you pass me the salt, please?” is quoted directly from John’s words.
**Indirect Speech:**
In indirect speech, also known as reported speech, the speaker’s words are reported indirectly, often with changes in pronouns, tense, and structure.
1. Command in indirect speech:
– **Direct Speech:** Sarah said, “Close the door.”
– **Indirect Speech:** Sarah asked me to close the door.
– **Explanation:** In indirect speech, the command “Close the door” is reported indirectly by changing the verb “said” to “asked,” and the command is rephrased using the infinitive form “to close.”
2. Request in indirect speech:
– **Direct Speech:** John said, “Can you pass me the salt, please?”
– **Indirect Speech:** John asked if I could pass him the salt, please.
– **Explanation:** The request “Can you pass me the salt, please?” is reported indirectly by changing the verb “said” to “asked,” introducing the reporting clause “if,” and rephrasing the request with appropriate changes in pronouns and structure.
– In direct speech, the exact words are quoted within quotation marks, while in indirect speech, the speaker’s words are reported indirectly.
– Commands and requests in indirect speech often require changes in pronouns, tense, and structure to fit the reporting context.
– In indirect speech, verbs such as “say,” “tell,” or “ask” are commonly used to introduce the reported speech.
Understanding how to convert commands and requests between direct and indirect speech is essential for accurate reporting of spoken language in written or reported form.
Example sentences
1. **Direct Speech (Command):** “Please bring me a glass of water,” she said.
**Reported Speech:** She asked me to bring her a glass of water.
2. **Direct Speech (Request):** “Could you pass me the book?” he asked.
**Reported Speech:** He asked if I could pass him the book.
3. **Direct Speech (Command):** “Shut the window,” the teacher commanded.
**Reported Speech:** The teacher commanded us to shut the window.
4. **Direct Speech (Request):** “Would you mind helping me with this?” she inquired.
**Reported Speech:** She inquired if I would mind helping her with that.
5. **Direct Speech (Command):** “Turn off the television,” Dad ordered.
**Reported Speech:** Dad ordered us to turn off the television.
6. **Direct Speech (Request):** “Can you pick up some groceries?” Mom requested.
**Reported Speech:** Mom requested if I could pick up some groceries.
7. **Direct Speech (Command):** “Stop talking and listen,” the teacher commanded firmly.
**Reported Speech:** The teacher firmly commanded us to stop talking and listen.
8. **Direct Speech (Request):** “Please don’t forget to call me,” she pleaded.
**Reported Speech:** She pleaded not to forget to call her.
9. **Direct Speech (Command):** “Clean your room before dinner,” Mom said.
**Reported Speech:** Mom said to clean our room before dinner.
10. **Direct Speech (Request):** “Could you possibly lend me your pen?” he asked politely.
**Reported Speech:** He asked politely if I could possibly lend him my pen.
1. Direct: “Shut the window,” she commanded.
Reported: She commanded me to shut the window.
2. Direct: “Please bring me a glass of water,” he requested.
Reported: He requested that I bring him a glass of water.
3. Direct: “Pass me the scissors,” she asked.
Reported: She asked me to pass her the scissors.
4. Direct: “Turn off the television,” he ordered.
Reported: He ordered me to turn off the television.
5. Direct: “Don’t touch that!” she exclaimed.
Reported: She exclaimed not to touch that.
6. Direct: “Clean your room,” his mother instructed.
Reported: His mother instructed him to clean his room.
7. Direct: “Could you please lower your voice?” she inquired.
Reported: She inquired if I could please lower my voice.
8. Direct: “Don’t forget to call me,” he reminded.
Reported: He reminded me not to forget to call him.
9. Direct: “Finish your dinner,” she urged.
Reported: She urged me to finish my dinner.
10. Direct: “Open the door,” he insisted.
Reported: He insisted that I open the door.
11. Direct: “Can you help me with this?” she pleaded.
Reported: She pleaded for my help with that.
12. Direct: “Put your phone away,” he advised.
Reported: He advised me to put my phone away.
13. Direct: “Please pick up some milk on your way home,” she requested.
Reported: She requested that I pick up some milk on my way home.
14. Direct: “Don’t be late,” he warned.
Reported: He warned me not to be late.
15. Direct: “Let’s go for a walk,” she suggested.
Reported: She suggested going for a walk.
16. Direct: “Please be quiet during the presentation,” the teacher reminded.
Reported: The teacher reminded everyone to be quiet during the presentation.
17. Direct: “Turn down the music,” she requested.
Reported: She requested that the music be turned down.
18. Direct: “Don’t touch the artwork,” he cautioned.
Reported: He cautioned against touching the artwork.
19. Direct: “Could you pass me the salt?” she asked politely.
Reported: She politely asked if I could pass her the salt.
20. Direct: “Read this book,” she ordered.
Reported: She ordered me to read that book.
21. Direct: “Don’t slam the door,” he advised.
Reported: He advised against slamming the door.
22. Direct: “Wake up early,” she suggested.
Reported: She suggested waking up early.
23. Direct: “Please make sure to lock the door,” he reminded her.
Reported: He reminded her to make sure to lock the door.
24. Direct: “Don’t forget to bring your umbrella,” she reminded him.
Reported: She reminded him not to forget to bring his umbrella.
25. Direct: “Get some rest,” he advised.
Reported: He advised getting some rest.
These examples illustrate the conversion of commands and requests from direct to reported speech while maintaining the meaning and context of the original sentences.
Worksheet
**Worksheet: Changing Direct to Reported Speech**
**Instructions:** Rewrite each sentence in reported speech, changing the direct commands and requests into reported commands and requests.
1. Direct: “Clean your room,” his mother commanded.
Reported:
2. Direct: “Please pass me the salt,” she requested.
Reported:
3. Direct: “Don’t forget to buy groceries,” he reminded.
Reported:
4. Direct: “Turn off the lights,” she instructed.
Reported:
5. Direct: “Could you help me with this?” he asked.
Reported:
6. Direct: “Don’t be late for the meeting,” she warned.
Reported:
7. Direct: “Open the window,” he ordered.
Reported:
8. Direct: “Please don’t interrupt,” she pleaded.
Reported:
9. Direct: “Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested.
Reported:
10. Direct: “Could you lend me your pen?” she requested.
Reported:
11. Direct: “Read this book,” the teacher commanded.
Reported:
12. Direct: “Don’t touch the paintings,” the curator cautioned.
Reported:
13. Direct: “Pass me the menu,” she asked politely.
Reported:
14. Direct: “Don’t play with matches,” he warned.
Reported:
15. Direct: “Please make sure to lock the door,” she reminded.
Reported:
16. Direct: “Could you bring me a glass of water?” he requested.
Reported:
17. Direct: “Finish your homework,” she urged.
Reported:
18. Direct: “Don’t forget your umbrella,” he reminded her.
Reported:
19. Direct: “Let’s start the presentation,” she suggested.
Reported:
20. Direct: “Could you please be quiet?” the librarian asked.
Reported:
Answers
Here are the answers to the worksheet:
1. Reported: His mother commanded him to clean his room.
2. Reported: She requested that I pass her the salt.
3. Reported: He reminded me not to forget to buy groceries.
4. Reported: She instructed to turn off the lights.
5. Reported: He asked if I could help him with that.
6. Reported: She warned not to be late for the meeting.
7. Reported: He ordered to open the window.
8. Reported: She pleaded not to interrupt.
9. Reported: He suggested going for a walk.
10. Reported: She requested if I could lend her my pen.
11. Reported: The teacher commanded to read that book.
12. Reported: The curator cautioned against touching the paintings.
13. Reported: She politely asked to pass her the menu.
14. Reported: He warned against playing with matches.
15. Reported: She reminded to make sure to lock the door.
16. Reported: He requested if I could bring him a glass of water.
17. Reported: She urged to finish my homework.
18. Reported: He reminded her not to forget her umbrella.
19. Reported: She suggested starting the presentation.
20. Reported: The librarian asked if I could please be quiet.
These reported speech sentences reflect the conversion of direct commands and requests into reported form, maintaining the meaning and context of the original sentences.
"In Conclusion: Harnessing the Impact of Commands and Requests for Effective Communication"
“In conclusion, mastering the art of commands and requests is essential for effective communication in both personal and professional settings. Whether issuing directives or making polite appeals, the ability to convey instructions and seek assistance with clarity and tact can greatly enhance interpersonal relationships and productivity. By understanding the nuances of language and employing appropriate strategies, individuals can navigate various social contexts with confidence, fostering cooperation and achieving desired outcomes. Commands and requests serve as powerful tools for expressing needs, sharing responsibilities, and building rapport, ultimately contributing to successful interactions and mutual understanding.”
