It has been statements we have been reporting all the while. When reporting a question (an interrogation sentence), the sentence begins with the pronoun or the name of the person asking the question e.g. we, she, Teddy, etc. Common verbs used in reporting questions include ask, inquire, query, wish to, know, demand, etc. Note that the verb (auxiliary verb) normally comes after the subject when reporting a question and the question mark is usually omitted.
Examples:
1. "Where is Owen going?" The woman asked. (Direct speech question)
The woman asked where Owen was going. (Indirect speech question)
2. "Are you coming now?" The principal asked me. (Direct speech question)
The principal asked me if I was coming then. (Indirect Speech question)
Note that reporting a polar question is different from reporting a non-polar question. A polar question is that which required "yes" or "no" answer while a non-polar question does not require "yes" or "no". It usually starts with "Wh" words. When reporting a polar question, we begin the report with "if" or "whether". Examples:
1. "Are you coming tomorrow?" The man asked me. (Dir. Sp. Polar question)
Indirect report: The man asked whether I was coming the next day.
2. "What is your name?" The principal inquired. (Dir. Sp. Non-polar question)
Indirect report: The principal inquired what his name was.
3. "Will I see you today?" The girl asked us. (Dir. Sp. Polar question)
Indirect report: The girl asked us if she would see us that day.
4. "Does the sun go round the earth?" The boy asked the professor. (Direct speech question)
Indirect report: The boy asked the professor whether the sun goes round the earth.
In the last example, nothing has changed in the report because the question is on a scientific issue and has a permanent truth.
Reporting Commands (Imperative Sentences)
Commands (imperative sentences) are structurally known to begin with verbs e.g. Get out, sit down, shut the door, shut up, etc.
When reporting a command, one common feature is that the verb in the direct speech form takes a "to-infinite". Reporting a piece of advice is usually the same as reporting commands. Commands are usually expressed with verbs such as commanded, instructed, ordered, demanded, advised, etc.
Examples:
1. "Get out now," the man ordered. (Direct speech command)
2. "Be frugal with your income these days of economic recession," the old man advised. (Direct speech advice)
Indirect report: The old man advised them (or him or her) to be frugal with their (or his or her) income those days of economic recession.
In the next article we are going to be writing about Phrasal Verbs and Idiomatic Expressions.
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