Grammar Focus: Reported Speech (Questions & Requests)

When we report questions or requests, the word order changes to that of a statement.

Reported questions:

• Yes/No questions — use if or whether: "Are you tired?" -> She asked if I was tired.
• Wh- questions — use the question word: "Where is it?" -> He asked where it was.
• No question mark, no auxiliary (do/does/did), with tense backshift.

Reported requests/commands: use ask/tell + object + to + infinitive: "Please close the door." -> He asked me to close the door. ("Don't be late." -> She told him not to be late.)