轉述指令和要求
當我們想要轉述一個指令或要求時，可以用 tell 之類的動詞並接 to 子句：He told me to go away. 句型是動詞 + 間接受詞 + to 子句。間接受詞是指說話者的談話對象。而其他用來轉述指令和要求的動詞有：command、order、warn、ask、advise、invite、beg、teach 和 forbid。
舉例
| 直述句 | 轉述句 |
|---|---|
| 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
在要求某物時，轉述句會用 "asked for" + 物體之句型。
舉例
| 直述句 | 轉述句 |
|---|---|
| "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. |
建議
在轉述建議時，會使用動詞 suggest、insist、recommend、demand、request 和 propose，並接 that 子句。而在這些子句中，that 和 should 可以省略，如下面前兩個例子所示。要注意，如果要去掉動詞的間接受詞（也就是聽取建議的人），suggest、recommend 和 propose 後可接動名詞。如此會讓建議的語氣更有禮貌。這種動名詞的用法在下面第四和第五個例子有示範。
舉例
| 直述句 | 轉述句 |
|---|---|
| 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. |